Visakhapatnam:
The Eastern Naval Command (ENC) is gearing up for the International Fleet Review (IFR) scheduled for February 2016. About 100 vessels from 50 countries will participate in the IFR.
In fact, the ENC has gained prominence after the Indian government focused on strengthening strategic ties with other countries as part of its ‘Look East’ policy. The defence ministry is also keen on strengthening ENC’s presence on the Eastern Sea Board.
The mega event is likely to catapult the ENC to an envious position in the Naval world. The ENC had come a long way from a small outpost in 1939 to playing a key role in the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971. It is spread across the longest geographical area amongst all the commands of the Indian armed forces. It is also the only one capable of operating nuclear-propelled submarines and plays a major role in providing security to offshore assets in the east coast.
The ENC came into existence on March 1, 1968. The ENC has been safeguarding India’s interests on the eastern sea board. Many vice-admirals of the ENC later served as the chief of Indian Navy.
“Out of 13 major ports in India, seven are located along the east coast. Around one lakh ships cross the Indian Ocean every year and around 70% of petroleum product movement of the world also crosses the Indian Ocean,” Eastern Naval Command chief vice-admiral Satish Soni told TOI.
The command that started with a small fleet now has a strong flotilla, submarine fleet and a powerful air arm, besides a well equipped naval dockyard and other units.
The Eastern Naval Command’s significance has increased after it acquired P8I, the long range maritime patrol aircraft, Advanced Jet Trainers (AJTs) and also the nuclear platform. It is the only command in the Indian Navy that has all these assets. It is also the only command with a facility for submariner training and shipwright school. The command has a strong air arm and three air stations – INS Dega at Visakhapatnam, INS Rajali at Arakkonam and INS Parandu in Tamil Nadu.
The ENC, which had 30 warships in 2005, increased its total fleet strength to 52 vessels by 2012. Among its capabilities, it has the INS Jalashwa, an amphibious transport dock, Rajput class destroyers, Kora class corvettes, Godavari class frigates, Shivalik class frigates, Sindhughosh class submarines and the Akula-class submarine INS Chakra. Naval aviation is provided by Sea King Helicopters. Another ship of Khamorta class – the INS Kadmatt – will be commissioned next month, sources said.
The ENC also played a major role in naval operations during the Indo-Pak War in 1971 and in Operation Pawan, which was undertaken by the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) to take control of Jaffna from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Visakhapatnam / by Siva G, TNN / December 28th, 2015