Admiral R. Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, said here on Tuesday that the Navy is keen on using the soon-to-be-commissioned Vizhinjam Seaport for its requirements.
Talking to reporters here, Admiral Hari Kumar said the Navy had no plans to develop a base here since the Vizhinjam port was a commercial one focussing on container transshipment. “But it is a deepwater port and the Navy is also interested in utilising it,” he said. On whether discussions were held with the Adani Group, which operates the port, he said initial discussions were held, but were not taken forward.
On plans for a second Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-II), he said it is “in the works, but will take time.” The Navy is exploring the possibility of a carrier on the lines of INS Vikrant and is keen on using the expertise of the Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), he said. The Navy would like to equip it with the latest systems including unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV), according to him.
