The Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat on Monday said that China’s attempt of “changing the status quo” at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) necessitated high levels of preparations on the land, sea, and in the air.
Speaking at the launch of the Indian Navy’s Project 17A stealth frigate Himgiri built by the PSU Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd GRSE) in Kolkata Rawat also said that concerted efforts must be made to ensure that there was no disruption of trade via sea due to piracy, terrorism, and conflict.
“China’s attempt to change the status quo on the Line of Actual Control necessitates high levels of preparations on the land, sea, and in the air. As the Chief of Defence Staff I am fully confident that the Indian Armed Forces will leave no stones unturned to safeguard our frontiers be it inland, in the air, or the oceans,” said Rawat.
He also said that China was carrying out some development activities in its Tibet Autonomous Region at a time when there was a standoff between Indian and Chinese forces at Ladakh.
"Our forces are fully prepared to deal with any kind of eventuality. I don't think that there should be much concern as we are executing similar activities on our side," Rawat said.
He also said that India’s 7500 km long coastline projecting into the heart of the Indian Ocean allows the country to be at the “epicentre of global trade”
“The maritime dimension of India’s security and its importance to national development and economic prosperity is well recognized today. Indian Navy has a preeminent role in guarding the country’s economic, strategic and territorial interests,” said Rawat.
Emphasising indigenisation Rawat said that the seeds of the Indian Navy’s goal of self-reliance were sown with the setting up of its own design organization as early as the 1960s.
The P17A warships would be state-of-the-art guided-missile frigates. At 149 meter long with a displacement of 6670 tons they would have an advanced propulsion system enabling a speed of over 28 knots.
“These complex weapon platforms are equipped with a powerful weapon and sensor package capable of neutralising threats in all three dimensions, air, surface, and subsurface,” stated a release by the GRSE.