With the objective of providing secure and safe communication network for warships and submarines, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday laid the foundation stone of a new Very Low Frequency (VLF) Station of the Indian Navy at the Damagundam Reserve Forest site, Pudur Mandal in Vikarabad, Telangana.
The facility, built at a cost of Rs 3,200 crore, will be spread across 2,900 acres. It will bolster the Indian Navy’s operational readiness, ensuring effective command and control capabilities in challenging maritime environments. It will play a pivotal role in strengthening the Naval communication infrastructure, enabling reliable and secure transmission over long distances.
Speaking on the occasion, he exuded confidence that the VLF station would expand the military capabilities of the country, proving to be a boon to the Armed Forces.
“Effective coordination between men and machines is becoming extremely important in view of the evolving methods of warfare. This VLF station is being built with the vision of securing our maritime interests. It will ensure secure and real-time communication between our ships & submarines with the command centres of the Armed Forces. A fool-proof communication proves to be a decisive factor between victory and defeat. Without real time communication, we cannot gain an edge despite having adequate equipment or manpower,” Rajnath said.
Further highlighting the significance of a strong communication system, the defence ministerR termed it as pivotal for coordination in any complex operation. He emphasised that a clear and secure communication channel not only helps in timely andeffective decision making, but also an important medium to convey the orders of the command to the field formations and obtain the feedback.
Rajnath added that if soldiers are fully informed in a battlefield or an operational environment, their morale and unity receive a major boost, enhancing both safety and strategy.
The defence minister laid stress on the need to continuously empower the Indian Navy in view of the ever-growing global interest in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). “Our interest is spread across the Indo-Pacific region. We have also emerged as the first responder and a preferred security partner in the IOR.
If India has to secure its commercial and security interests and remain a strong deep sea force, it is necessary to possess state-of-the-art platforms/equipment and a strong communication system,” he added.
Allaying concerns about the impact of the project on the environment, Rajnath stated that all environmental conditions are being taken care of. It is being ensured that arrangements will be made for the rehabilitation of the affected people, if needed, at the time of construction, he added.
In his address, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi stated that the project is set to herald a new chapter in Indian Navy’s communication capabilities by ensuring a secure, robust, responsive, and reliable command, control and communication network across the oceans.