The naval variant of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) is expected to be operational by 2009 augumenting the blue-water capability of Indian Navy", said Admiral Madhvendra Singh, Chief of Naval Staff, while interacting with mediapersons after delivering key-note address at a seminar organised as part of golden jubilee celebrations of INS Hamla. The Naval Chief said that the naval version would be able to operate onboard aircraft carriers.

The Naval Chief said that the steel was cut for the first ship of the advanced Delhi-class destroyers at the Mazagaon Docks and the keel would be laid this year. Three such ships would be built under Project 15 Alpha and the first one is expected to be rolled out by 2008 and the next two in subsequent years.

The three Delhi-class destroyers–INS Delhi, INS Mysore and INS Mumbai which were built under Project 15, were commissioned a few years ago. They are the frontline indigenous ships of the Navy. Admiral Madhvendra Singh also said that few more stealth-class ships would be ordered in future. "These would be the future ships of the Indian Navy and will be of the Shivalik class", he said.

The Naval Chief also said that the Indian Navy and the sister services, Army and IAF, are now increasingly collaborating with the private sector industry for production of spares and other equipment. "For spares we would not like to depend on other countries", he said and added that extensive deliberations in this regard had been held with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Technology is advancing day by day and in execution of projects, Navy does not want any cost overruns. He said that the response from the private sector had been encouraging.

The Naval Chief said that Indian Navy is in a very good shape. To meet the challenges of future in the wake of new inductions, Navy puts stress on manpower. Last year, more than 3,000 sailors were recruited as against around 2,000 the year before. Similarly, the intake of officers for the naval force has also increased. "While earlier we used to recruit around 250-odd officers each year, last year 350 officers joined the blue water force", the Naval chief pointed out.

Referring to shipbuilding programme of the Indian Navy, the Naval Chief expressed satisfaction and said that 23 ships on order were expected to join Navy in the years to come. He also revealed that the Indian Navy has been interacting with foreign navies ‘quite a lot’ and its presence has been felt on 'strategic frontiers'.