Mumbai : Indian Navy is taking e-commerce route, selectively though. The largest naval force of the world is now planning to sell spare parts of warships online to various friendly countries. The process will not only cut down time taken in clinching a deal with the buyers around the globe, it will also help to make a drastic cut on the red-tapism involved in the process.
The idea was discussed during a seminar on ‘The Influence of Indian Navy in the Indian Ocean Region and Foreign Cooperation Initiatives to Enhance the Indian Navy’s Reach’ organised by the Indian Navy at Western Naval Command (WNC) in city on Friday. Over the years, Indian Navy has moved from buyers’ naval force to the sellers’ force. Presently, Indian Navy sells and on request supplies small warships and spare parts to several friendly countries including Maldives, Myanmar, Vietnam, Brunei, Thailand, Shree Lanka and Mauritius.
Several naval forces have on multiple of occasions expressed disapproval for delay on account of Indian Navy while delivering spare parts of warships. It also has been observed that the aspiring buyers have procured the required parts from other countries engaged in similar trades due to long delays in the process. Rear Admiral Montey Khanna, Commandant of Naval War College proposed the idea of online sale of spare parts of warship. He said, “Conventional system that requires paper work is taking unnecessary and too much of time. The delay takes toll on maintaining the relations with the friendly nations which is our utmost objective.”
He added, “Just like other developed countries, we should take requests and order online. It will save our time, money and resources.”
The idea has to be cleared by Ministry of Defence, however. Once it came into practice, the buyers just need to click on the list of required objects. India Navy will take a note of the requirements and dispatch the articles as per requests made by the buyers. KC Singh, a renowned expert in international affairs and ex-Ambassador to UAE and Iran, brought out current developments such as formation of soft alliances in the Indian Ocean region. He also emphasised the significance of soft power projection by the Indian Navy. Apprising the audience on the significance of visits of Naval Ships to foreign countries he explained the role Navy plays in achieving our strategic and national aims overseas.
Vishnudas Sheshrao
