Admiral Walter Doran, Commander United States Navy Pacific Fleet was at Visakhapatnam on a brief visit to the Eastern Naval Command(ENC). The US Admiral was given a warm welcome at the Naval Air Station, INS Dega. The aim of the visit was to further stengthen the ongoing defence and bilateral co-operation between Indian and the United States navies.

During his visit, the US Admiral called on Vice Admiral OP Bansal, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command at the Headquarters. Both the Flag Officers reviewed various joint naval exercises conducted by the two navies in the recent past. The discussions also focussed on protection of sea lanes and anti piracy and rescue operations.

The US Admiral visited INS Ranvir, a frontline naval ship, and Naval Dockyard and interacted with the senior officers of ENC. He also visited Kursura Submarine Museum located on the Beach Road. Mrs Virginia Doran who accompanied the US Admiral interacted with Mrs Renu Bansal, President, Naval Wives Welfare Association.

Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam, one of the premier repair yards of the Indian Navy, hosted a two-day indigenisation seminar (INDSEM)- cum-exhibition as part of Navy’s endeavour to give boost to the indigenisation drive.

The seminar was aimed at familiarising the industry with the current and future indigenisation requirements of the Navy in general and the ENC in particular. The industrial houses from various parts of the country showcased their products during the two-day session. The Navy has also put on display the items proposed for indigenisation.

Delegates from the Armed Forces, government research and development organisations, public sector companies and private industrial houses numbering more than 120 took part in the seminar which was inaugurated by Vice Admiral OP Bansal, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, ENC. Vice Admiral Raman Puri, Chief of Integrated Staff who was earlier FOC-in-C, ENC attended the seminar as a special invitee.