New Delhi. Vice Admiral S N Ghormade, Vice Chief of Naval Staff superannuated on March 31 after more than 39 years of illustrious service. During his tenure as VCNS, he significantly contributed towards creation and sustenance of combat ready, credible, cohesive and future proof Navy through focused impetus on integrated planning, innovation, indigenization, adopting emerging technologies in capital acquisition, infrastructure development alongwith the optimisation of allocated fiscal resources.
He also worked on roadmap for Theatrisation of Armed Forces with emphasis on Tri-service synergy, jointmantship and integrated planning.
The Navy has been in the forefront of AatmaNirbharta and the Flag Officer has given impetus to the AatmaNirbhar initiatives with dedicated efforts to encourage Indian industry along with DRDO. Sustained impetus on indigenisation has resulted in continuous increase in indigenous content in the Naval ships. Indian Navy has also effectively utilised ‘Make’ and ‘iDEX’ route to achieve the objective of self-reliance by involving greater participation of Indian industrial eco-system including Private Sector. Under his supervision, Indian Navy laid the foundation for the induction of more than 75 game changer technologies/ products through SPRINT challenges that were launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister during Swavlamban Seminar; to be inducted by August 15, 2023.
During his tenure Navy has ploughed back more than 2/3rd of capital budget towards Indian economy by processing from indigenous sources, 41 out of 43 ships and submarines for Indian Navy are being constructed in Indian Shipyards. Many other schemes of innovation, indigenisation, technological advancements, capability enhancements and research and development projects with DRDO, DPSU and industries were progressed alongwith various infrastructure Projects thus contributing towards combat efficiency during his illustrious tenure. His tenure also saw allocation of highest budget approvals with highest AoNs, Conclusion of Shipbuilding contracts, SPRINT and IDEX projects, impetus to Indigenisation schemes, highest expenditure in Capital Works, push to infrastructure projects.
Under his supervision, the First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant was commissioned on September 2, 2022 in the presence of Hon’ble Prime Minister and historical milestone of the maiden landing of LCA (Navy) on the flight deck of INS Vikrant at sea completed on March 6, 2023. This has amply demonstrated India’s capability to design, develop, construct and operate an Indigenous Aircraft Carrier, with an Indigenous Fighter Aircraft.
