Posted on 09/14/2007 8:09:29 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Landing docks on Navy’s periscope
Friday September 14 2007 11:13 IST ENS
EXPRESSNEWS SERVICE
VISAKHAPATNAM: The Indian Navy has plans to build three Landing Platform Docks (LPD) on its own after 10 years. Till then, INS Jalashwa (formerly ‘USS Trenton’) would bridge the ‘capability gap’ in ship-to-shore movement of stores.
INS Jalashwa was purchased from the US for a throwaway price of Rs 200 crore whereas a new ship of the same category will cost not less than Rs 2,000 crore, said Eastern Naval Command Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Vice-Admiral RP Suthan.
Addressing a press conference onboard INS Jalashwa here today, Vice-Admiral Suthan said though INS Jalashwa was originally commissioned into the US Navy in March 1971, it is as good as a new one and it adds punch to the Indian Navy.
It was inducted in the Indian Navy at Norfolk on June 22, 2007. India has the technology and resources to build a LPD but it purchased INS Jalashwa from the US as it was the best bargain.
India is in need of such a ship and it found USS Trenton as suitable to its requirements. It was like any other defense procurement.
INS Jalashwa is an Austin class amphibious assault ship that transports and lands elements of force to support shore operations during war and undertakes humanitarian assistance and disaster relief functions.
Malabar-07:
As regards the five-nation joint Naval exercises Malabar-07 held in Bay of Bengal, Vice-Admiral Suthan said it was a great opportunity to observe the practices of some of the world’s best navies and, the Indian Navy is looking forward to similar engagements in the future.
The Western Navy is about to participate in exercises with the French off Red sea soon.
Vice-Admiral Suthan has dispelled the notion that Russia was kept out of Malabar-07, as wrong, saying that Russia had a different agenda. It was only in April this year that the Indian and Russian navies took part in joint exercises at Vladivostok.
No threat from LTTE:
The ENC chief did not foresee any threat to the Indian Navy from the LTTE, stating that it is a local conflict restricted to the Sri Lankan coastal waters.
However, there are Intelligence reports of the ‘Sea Tigers’ getting arms supplies through the Bay of Bengal.
Eastern Fleet Flag Officer Commanding Rear Admiral RK Dhowan and INS Jalashwa Commanding Officer Capt BS Ahluwalia were present.
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