Team Herald
VASCO: The Indian Navy, after analysing all aircraft crash incidents reported in the past, has taken several remedial measures to avoid similar incidents, said Admiral R K Dhowan, Chief of the Naval Staff.
He was speaking to reporters at the INS Hansa on Wednesday, on the sidelines of the decommissioning ceremony of the Sea Harriers and induction ceremony of the MiG 29K aircrafts, which will be attached to INS Vikramaditya.
“Air safety is of paramount importance for the Indian Navy, and thus, we have strict regulations in place to ensure that our aircrafts follow standard operating procedures, and the highest standard of safety precautions are maintained at all the time,” he said, while responding to a question on aircraft crash incidents, including those involving Sea Harriers.
He further said, “There are various reasons why air crash incidents occur. To avoid similar incidents, we have been following standard procedures to analyse and evaluate every possible reason for such incidents so that remedial measures, even before the board of inquiry comes out, are in place.”
Dhowan also said that the Indian Navy had been looking forward to inducting multi-role helicopters, upgrades of the Kamov 28, which are anti-submarine warfare helicopters.
Regarding the newly inducted MiG 29K, Dhowan said, “We have great pride in inducting MiG 29K aircraft with cutting edge technology into the 300 squadron. Also, the Indian Navy has emerged as a multi-dimensional network force, which is ready to take on any challenge in the maritime domain of the Indian Ocean region in the 21st century.”
Meanwhile, at a press interaction later, Dhowan tried his best to dodge questions on the AgustaWestland controversy, which is currently making news across the country.
“Whatever is happening, the Union government is investigating it,” he said.
