'Long-endurance submarines pose new challenges'

INTERVIEW

- Sandeep Unnithan

In December 2021, Admiral Hari Kumar took over as Navy chief at a time when the service is under increasing budgetary pressure and a lengthening border standoff with China has taken attention away from India's maritime frontiers. In a series of written responses to Managing Editor Sandeep Unnithan, he outlines the priorities of the world's fifth largest navy, particularly relating to the introduction of Chinese submarines in the Indian Ocean. Excerpts:

Q. With the Indian maritime theatre command coming up by 2023, will you be the first Navy chief not to have direct operational command?