Mhow, Madhya Pradesh: Rear Admiral BS Sodhi, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Policy & Plans), delivered a comprehensive address at the Army War College (AWC) here, highlighting the Indian Navy’s strategic focus on capability development to address emerging threats in the maritime domain.
Speaking to an audience of senior Indian Army officers and faculty, Rear Admiral Sodhi emphasised the Navy’s unwavering commitment to indigenous development and the critical role of innovation in building a future-ready force. He stressed that self-reliance is no longer an option but a strategic imperative for maintaining operational superiority amid evolving geopolitical dynamics and rapid technological advancements.
The engagement, hosted by the AWC, one of the Indian Army’s premier institutions for professional military education, strategy, and joint operations, provided a valuable platform for cross-service dialogue. Such interactions are increasingly vital as the Indian armed forces deepen jointness and integrated theatre commands under the broader push for tri-service synergy.
In his talk, Rear Admiral Sodhi outlined how the Indian Navy is transitioning decisively from a traditionally import-dependent force to a builder’s navy. He pointed to the accelerated pace of indigenous shipbuilding, advanced weapon systems, and platform modernisation as key pillars of this transformation. The Navy’s policy and plans directorate, which he heads, plays a central role in aligning long-term capability requirements with national industrial strengths, particularly through collaboration with Indian shipyards, defence public sector undertakings, and the burgeoning private sector ecosystem.
A recurring theme in the address was the encouragement of innovation at all levels, from cutting-edge research in unmanned systems, artificial intelligence, and network-centric warfare to fostering a culture of problem-solving within the service. Rear Admiral Sodhi noted that the Navy is actively engaging with academia, startups, and industry to bridge capability gaps and develop indigenous solutions that are both cost-effective and tailored to India’s unique operational environment, ranging from the littorals to the deep oceans.
This focus aligns with the Indian Navy’s broader Vision 2047 and ongoing efforts under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Recent years have witnessed significant milestones, including the commissioning of indigenous aircraft carriers, stealth frigates, and corvettes, with plans for substantial fleet expansion in the coming years. By prioritising domestic design, development, and production, the Navy aims not only to reduce external dependencies but also to position India as a net exporter of naval technologies and platforms in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Army War College, located in Mhow, has long served as a crucible for doctrinal thinking and inter-service understanding. Hosting a senior naval flag officer for discussions on capability development underscores the growing convergence between the Army and Navy in addressing hybrid and multi-domain challenges, including maritime security, coastal defence, and joint expeditionary operations.
Defence analysts view such engagements as timely, given the increasing complexity of naval operations in contested waters. The Indian Navy faces a dynamic threat landscape characterised by assertive naval postures in the Indian Ocean Region, proliferation of advanced submarines, unmanned aerial and underwater vehicles, and cyber-enabled disruptions.
Rear Admiral Sodhi’s address is expected to contribute meaningfully to the ongoing professional discourse at the AWC, where officers from all services prepare for higher command responsibilities. It also reinforces the Indian Navy’s message that sustained indigenous innovation, backed by clear policy direction and inter-service collaboration, will remain central to safeguarding India’s maritime interests well into the future.
As the Navy charts its course through the next decade, the emphasis on self-reliance and innovation, eloquently articulated at Mhow, signals a confident and determined approach to meeting tomorrow’s maritime challenges with home-grown capabilities.
contact: drrajeshjauhri@gmail.com
Dr Rajesh Jauhri is a Journalist with an experience of over 25 years in Indian and foreign media, a Social Scientist, an Ac-complished Author, a Political & Strategic Analyst, a Marksman (Rifle & Pistol), an Orator, a Thinker and an Educationist. He holds a Ph.D. degree on “Impact of colonial heritage on Indian police”. He runs an NGO dedicated to the social and eco-nomic uplift of tribal communities in MP and two decades back, he established a school in a village of Indore district, providing education and moral values to children belonging to underprivileged and minority families. Has received multiple awards in various fields.
