Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on November 2 urged Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of Naval Staff of Indian Navy, to push for enrollment of women sailors in the Indian Navy.
The Defense Minister participated in the bi-annual three-day Naval Commanders’ Conference aimed at outlining the maritime vision of the government.
During the conference, Sitharaman was briefed by the top brass of Navy on various issues and themes, including ‘Optimisation’ and ‘Emerging Technologies’.
Sources said Admiral Lanba confirmed that the decision to include women sailors was on the agenda of the conference.
Apart from new ideas and technologies, the naval commanders also deliberated on the operation preparedness, combat readiness of units and optimization of resources in which manpower plays a key role.
During the conference, the discussions were also held over ‘Indian Naval Indigenization Plan 2015-30’, including induction of aircraft carrier, ships, nuclear-powered submarines, conventional submarines, re-vitalization of aviation and sub-surface assets at the Naval Commanders Conference.
