In a progressive move towards sustainable operations, the Indian Navy is actively investigating the use of hydrogen fuel crafts, according to Southern Naval Command Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Vice Admiral V Srinivas. During a media interaction aboard the Navy’s tank landing vessel INS Shardul, he highlighted the collaboration with Cochin Shipyard, which has developed a small craft powered by hydrogen fuel. The Navy is exploring the potential application of these innovative vessels for future operations.
Vice Admiral Srinivas emphasized the Navy’s commitment to environmentally friendly fuels and operational practices. He expressed the importance of maintaining constant communication with various agencies that are advancing the use of alternative fuels, including hydrogen. “We have always been actively promulgating environment-friendly fuels and operations,” he stated, adding that the Cochin Shipyard’s advancements in hydrogen fuel technology have captured their interest.
The Vice Admiral also assured that the Navy is dedicated to achieving the highest standards of environmental sustainability in its operations throughout the nation. Alongside these efforts, he addressed the issue of narcotic drug seizures in 2024, indicating a decline compared to the previous year. This reduction is attributed to the Navy’s vigilant presence in the Indian Ocean Region and North Arabian Sea, as part of its broader mandate to combat piracy, drug trafficking, and terrorism. “We have a robust structure to apprehend this kind of operations in collaboration with other agencies such as the Coast Guard and state governments,” he noted.
Furthermore, responding to queries regarding the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, Vice Admiral Srinivas highlighted the Navy’s commitment to indigenization and technology export. He stated that Southern Naval Command has been significantly contributing to various aspects of indigenization, particularly in aviation and shipbuilding. The establishment of the Centre for Indigenisation and Self Reliance (CISR) in Coimbatore is one such initiative making significant strides in the sector.
Through these initiatives, the Indian Navy aims to not only enhance its operational efficiency but also align with global trends in sustainability and self-reliance in defense technology.
