New Delhi: Indian Navy Annual Refit Conference (ARC) and Annual Infrastructure Conference (AIC) commenced at Headquarters Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam on February 18. The two-day conference chaired by Vice Admiral GS Pabby, Chief of Materiel (COM), Integrated Headquarters, Ministry of Defence (Navy) is being attended by all the stakeholders representing the Naval Headquarters, the three Naval Commands and the Tri-Services Andaman & Nicobar Command at Port Blair, Dockyards, Repair Yards and Material Organisations of the Navy.  The delegates will deliberate upon refit plans for all ships and submarines of the Indian Navy and formulate plans for infrastructure augmentation to meet the growing requirements of the Indian Navy, an official release said.

Delivering the inaugural address, Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, ENC, welcomed the delegates and appreciated the dedicated efforts being put in by one and all in ensuring combat availability of Naval platforms. The role of the Naval Repair Yards towards the sustained operation of platforms at sea was lauded.

The Chief of Materiel (CoM), during his address, complimented the forum for ensuring quality refits of ships and submarines, with a focus on the safety of personnel and material. During the course of the conference, technical and logistics aspects concerning refits were deliberated at length, with a special emphasis on enhanced efficiency/ capability of sea-going units. He also urged all concerned to focus on greater indigenisation in keeping with the spirit of the 'Make in India' initiative.

The Annual Infrastructure Conference, which took place on Wednesday, reviewed the progress towards modernisation and augmentation of repair and refitting infrastructure in order to maintain the lethal edge of combat assets of the Indian Navy.