Naidu wants India to be self-sufficient in all domains

He spoke to scientists and personnel at the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory in Kochi about the need of enhancing local content and reducing imports in the defence industry.

"To do so, we must not only devote greater emphasis to research and development efforts, but also enable private participation, when practicable and practical, with strict quality standards," Naidu said.

On this occasion, the Vice President effectively established the groundwork for the "Towed Array Integration Facility," which is key to the development of towed array sonar systems, which are vital to undersea defence. The Navy's ability to identify quieter enemy submarines underwater is likely to be enhanced by the towed array sonar technology.

In light of the fact that India remains one of the world's major importers of defence equipment, Naidu stated that the role of a tiny facility like the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) in assisting the country with its defence needs is genuinely laudable.

Given the geopolitical situation in our region, the Vice President stated that NPOL's contribution to national security is critical, since all warships and conventional submarines in the Indian Navy's fleet are equipped with NPOL-developed sonars.

"Besides bringing in socio-economic benefits by halting imports in this narrow area, NPOL has mastered a very sophisticated and crucial technology that gives the Indian Navy a strategic advantage in anti-submarine warfare capabilities," he added.

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The Vice President praised NPOL for creating a strong network with industry and contributing to the Public Sector Unit's improved financial performance, noting that this lab has also nurtured more than 100 local enterprises, including MSMEs and startups, for developing specialist technologies.

The Vice President also dedicated the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam memorial and an installation near the laboratory on the occasion of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. He said the memorial will inspire countless individuals from all walks of life every day, describing it as "really suitable."

(IANS/PR)

(keywords: Vice President, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam memorial, Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), Towed Array Integration Facility, Kochi, M. Venkaiah Naidu)