JOIN US“By 2012, Indian Navy may retain only 61, 44 and 20 per cent of the envisaged force levels for frigates, destroyers and corvettes. Due to the delays in these projects, Navy will continue with a reduced fleet strength,” CAG said in its report tabled in the Parliament on Tuesday.
The constitutional watchdog audited the progress made in construction of Kolkata-class destroyers (Project 15A), indigenous stealth frigate (Project-17) and Project 28 under which four anti-submarine warfare corvettes are to be built in India.
The frigates and destroyers are way behind their delivery schedule and till date no contracts have been finalised for the corvettes though they are to be delivered by June 2012.
The fresh CAG revelation coupled with the government’s own admission on serious shortage in submarine fleet strength and the delay in the induction of Russian aircraft carrier “Admiral Gorshkov” limits the Indian Navy’s long-held desire to be known as a blue water navy.