India is celebrating the golden jubilee year (Swarnim Vijay Varsh) of the victory in the 1971 war
New Delhi:
The Indian Navy s tableau at the Republic Day parade this year will showcase models of INS Vikrant and naval operations that were conducted during the 1971 India-Pakistan war, said its spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal on Friday. This year s tableau being paraded is in pursuance of tri-services theme Swarnim Vijay Varsh and showcases Indian Navy s stellar role during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, he said at a press conference here.
The forward part of the tableau depicts the attack on Karachi harbour by the missile boats undertaken as part of Operation Trident and Python, Madhwal mentioned.
The debate around a third aircraft essentially arises from the monumental cost outlay required to build one. India s INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier. | Photo Credit: PTI
Key Highlights
The third aircraft carrier, INS Vishal, still to be approved, may cost up to $8 billion and is likely to take 14 years to build
Some, including officers from the Navy itself, have contended that the naval defence budget may be better spent in modernising India s submarine fleet
In recent years, the Indian Navy has also been the victim of falling budgets
A third aircraft carrier is an “operational necessity” said Navy Chief Admiral Karmabir Singh reviving the discussion within India s defence establishment over whether the in-operation INS Vikramaditya and the INS Vikrant (currently undergoing sea trials) needs a partner to expand the Navy s force projection in the Indian Ocean. The Navy chief s words are a reiteration of a similar call he made earlier this month