- Rajnath Singh hails Indian Navy’s “robust deterrent posture” and self-reliance drive; stresses use of technology and unmanned systems to outpace adversaries
- Conference unveils NIPUN knowledge portal, releases five key naval publications, and reinforces roadmap for Aatmanirbhar Navy by 2047
NE DEFENCE BUREAU
NEW DELHI, OCT 25
The second edition of the Naval Commanders’ Conference 2025 (CC 2025/2) concluded in New Delhi on October 24, after three days of intensive deliberations on operational preparedness, maritime security, force modernisation, and Tri-Service integration.
The apex-level forum, chaired by the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) and attended by senior commanders and top defence officials, marked a major step toward shaping the Indian Navy’s transformation into a “Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive, and Future-Ready Force.”
Key Decisions & Highlights:
- Launch of “NIPUN” Portal: A unified digital platform — Naval Intellectual Portal for Unified Knowledge (NIPUN) — was launched to aggregate the Navy’s intellectual capital across operations, technology, logistics, and innovation.
- Five New Naval Publications Released: These include the Regulations for Naval Armament Service, GeM Handbook, and a Foreign Cooperation Roadmap, providing updated operational, procurement, and international collaboration guidelines.
- Push for Aatmanirbhar Navy 2047: The conference reaffirmed the Navy’s goal of achieving full self-reliance by India’s centenary of independence, focusing on indigenous shipbuilding, weapon systems, and innovation through iDEX initiatives.
- Emphasis on Jointness and Integration: The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) underscored the importance of seamless Tri-Service cooperation and resource optimisation for operational synergy.
- Operational Readiness & Technology Drive: Deliberations focused on enhancing real-time maritime domain awareness, expanding autonomous and unmanned capabilities, and strengthening regional maritime partnerships.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, addressing the commanders on October 23, lauded the Indian Navy’s high operational readiness and deterrent strength, saying,
“The Indian Navy’s presence in the Indian Ocean Region is a matter of comfort for our friends and a source of discomfort for those who seek to destabilise peace. A self-reliant Navy is the foundation of a confident and powerful nation.”
He further urged commanders to harness cutting-edge technology and tactics to stay ahead of adversaries, highlighting the critical role of unmanned and autonomous systems in future warfare.
The Chief of the Naval Staff, in his opening address, emphasised adaptability amid an evolving geostrategic landscape and praised the Navy’s recent operational deployments, humanitarian missions, and capability augmentations. He also reaffirmed the service’s commitment to innovation, regional engagement, and sustainable maritime operations.
The conference also featured ‘Sagar Manthan’, a thematic event held on October 22, where naval leaders, defence experts, and thought leaders deliberated on emerging maritime challenges and India’s growing role as a security provider in the Indo-Pacific.
The Cabinet Secretary, Chief of Defence Staff, and Chief of Air Staff also interacted with the commanders, reinforcing the government’s vision of jointness, integration, and strategic preparedness across the armed forces.
With Operation-ready capabilities, digital transformation tools like NIPUN, and an Aatmanirbhar roadmap, the Indian Navy emerges from CC 2025/2 more focused than ever on building a technologically superior, agile, and globally respected maritime force.
