Admiral R Hari Kumar, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC is the 25th and current Chief of the Naval Staff. Previously, he served as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command. In his prior appointments, he has served as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, Chief of Personnel, Controller Personnel Services, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, Flag Officer Sea Training and the Chief of the Staff of the Western Naval Command.

Q1. Recent progressive changes in human resource policies including Agnipath scheme show a major shift in human resource recruitment, training and development. What is your 2047 vision of a lean mean and trim fighting naval warrior?                                                                                                                     

Ans.  With the changing character of warfare and rapidly evolving technology, there is a need to use modern and technologically advanced equipment. The introduction of Agnipath scheme, will enable the Armed forces to bring about this transformational shift and change the profile of the soldier in to more youthful and technologically adept warrior. This coupled with the AatmaNirbhar initiatives of the GoI, will make the Indian Armed forces self-reliant and robust. By 2047, the Indian Armed Forces will be completely manned by personnel who would have been the top 25% of their respective batches. The same will ensure that the most qualified and deserving personnel are retained in service as the lean, mean, tech aided fighting naval Warrior. They will thus become the flag bearers of the transformation of Armed forces in to a lean mean and trim fighting force of the future.  

Q2. With moves like signing of a landmark MOU in June 2022, the gap between Indian Navy and Merchant Navy is thinner than ever before. What plans does the Navy have to take advantage of this new opportunity?                                                                   

Ans.  DG Shipping Orders 16/2022 and 17/2022 were promulgated on 20 Jun 22. These orders pave the way for transition of Agniveers and for IN Personnel to the Merchant Navy in area of their core competence. Not only will these orders accrue advantages to the IN personnel, they will also be advantageous for the Indian Mercantile Marine and the Nation as a whole. In accordance with the Hon’ble PM’s vision, Indian Navy will also be able to contribute a lot of expert sailors to the world.

A landmark MoU was also concluded and signed on 20 Jun 22 between the DG Shipping and the Indian Navy. With these orders and the MoU, the hitherto fore disconnect between two leading edge maritime organisations has been dissolved. As per the MoU, DG Shipping and Indian Navy will regularly interact and cooperate in various areas of mutual interest such as operations, technical advantages, submission of technical papers, smart ports & ships, e-ships, IMO watch, Coastal Security, etc.

Q3.    In a recent meet with the press, it was indicated that you promised the Prime Minister that Indian Navy will become 100% AatmaNirbhar by 2047. Considering that, that is just 25 years to go. What are some of your top 3 priorities in this AatmaNirbharta journey?

Ans.Indian Navy’s commitment to ‘Self Reliance in Defence Production’ is evident from the fact that all 29 ships and submarines commissioned into the Navy over the last seven years have been built in India.  Further, 43 out of 45, which are nearly 95%, of the ships and submarines, currently under construction, are being built at Indian shipyards. While these achievements are a reflection of our focussed efforts towards ‘self-reliance’, we aim to be a 100% AatmaNirbharNavy by 2047.

        We already have plans set into motion to achieve this. We have already made sufficient progression in ‘To Float’ and ‘To Move’ category as far as self-sufficiency is concerned. My priority, therefore, is to indigenise the ‘Fight’ category – which includes weapons, sensors and force multipliers.   

        Looking at the rapid advancements in technology across the world, and those which will have significant impact on the future wars, my top 3 priorities would be,

• Artificial intelligence and its application to warfighting. I believe there is immense potential here, and possibilities are limitless.
• Underwater Domain Awareness, because the ambient conditions in the Indian Ocean Region make it very challenging – and not knowing what is beneath the sea surface is not an option.
• ‘Adopting’ changes in ICT, especially for communications, data processing and decision support – we are looking to shorten the Observe Orient Decide and Act Loop by leveraging the resident competence of Indian industry and academia in this field.

Q4.    India has the privilege rather Indian Navy has the privilege of operating in increasing level of complexity exercises with many Navies worldwide at what stage would you consider Indian Navy to be having a global footprint with effectiveness.             

Ans.  The Indian Navy has deployed ships, routinely, across the globe straddling the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. And our ships have regularly exercised with friendly foreign countries for many years now. Over the years, our operational logistics mechanisms have become increasingly robust. This has helped us ensuring seamless support for our ships/ aircraft/ submarines during their prolonged deployments. Therefore, the Navy has had an effective footprint wherever our national security and maritime interests have necessitated the same.

          The recent deployment of Indian Navy ships across six continents for celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is a prime example of the reach and sustenance of the Indian Navy.

Q5.    More than operations with exercise of military power in hard operations the Indian Navy had earned reputation for other roles including humanitarian assistance, hydrography and support to global causes such as climate change. What are some strategic priorities for the navy to fulfil this combination of military and non-military roles?                                                              

Ans.    The Indian Navy is very clear when it comes to its priorities. Its singular focus is Security and Safeguarding of our Nation’s Maritime Interests. And it is fully prepared for the same.

 The country's maritime interests encompass maintenance of the territorial integrity of India against seaward challenges and threats as well as protection of our maritime trade and the merchantmen that embody it. Our coastline continues to face significant security challenges from malevolent non-state, as well as state-sponsored anti-national elements. To safeguard the maritime interests of the nation, the IN performs four types of roles namely military, diplomatic, constabulary and benign. For these roles, we have adequate capability, and we are also continuously evolving to meet any new challenges. These roles are what dictate our operational philosophy as also our manpower, infrastructure and procurement policies.        

Q6.  Jointness and tri service operation including theaterisation is a clear priority by the government what are the initiatives the Indian navy is taking to make the theaterisation and jointness possible.

Ans.  India is a maritime nation with maritime interests spreading the length and breadth of the region. Addressing vital threats and challenges in the maritime domain requires a robust integrated force structure such as the Maritime Theatre Command, which would amalgamate core competencies of the three Services and the Coast Guard in the maritime domain.

The Navy is working towards positive outcomes from the ongoing deliberations and has submitted the findings towards Theatre Commands. Similarly all the Services have undertaken studies and the plan is under deliberation at DMA.

#SEA AND COAST EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW