Kochi: Vice Admiral V Srinivas, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command, emphasized the Indian Navy’s commitment to eco-friendly fuels, particularly hydrogen, during a press briefing held onboard INS Shardul at South Jetty in the Naval Base. Speaking to reporters ahead of Navy Day celebrations, he revealed that ongoing discussions with Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) aim to explore the potential adoption of hydrogen fuel technology in larger naval vessels.
“We have always been actively promulgating environment-friendly fuels and operations,” Srinivas remarked, highlighting the Navy’s proactive stance in engaging with various agencies that are advancing the use of alternative fuels. He added that CSL has developed a hydrogen fuel craft currently undergoing trials and that the Navy is collaborating with the shipyard to explore scaling this technology for larger ships.
In addition to the hydrogen initiative, Srinivas announced that the indigenously built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, is fully operational and ready for combat. Following its commissioning, the vessel underwent extensive trials to ensure it meets all operational requirements and is now integrated into the western fleet.
The Vice Admiral also touched upon the training initiatives at the Southern Naval Command, where 500 international trainees from 27 countries were trained across 20 naval training schools in the previous year. He provided an update on the development of the North Jetty, which aims to alleviate berthing shortages at the command, stating that its completion is imminent, with operations set to commence in about two months.
Acknowledging the support from the state government in enhancing coastal security, Srinivas underscored the crucial role played by local populations, who serve as the vigilant eyes and ears of the Navy along the coast.
Further, he detailed a Government of India initiative focused on the development of the strategically located Lakshadweep islands. This project, which includes the commissioning of INS Jatayu at Minicoy, aims not just at enhancing the islands’ infrastructure but also at bolstering India’s maritime reach. The facilitation of more airstrips and airfields in the area is seen as part of an ongoing process.
Srinivas concluded by noting the proactive nature of the Navy’s operations, citing participation in anti-piracy and anti-narcotics missions. He mentioned that the Navy’s first training squadron engaged in Exercise Cutlass earlier this year with 16 friendly foreign nations, showcasing the collaborative efforts in international maritime security.
