Indian Navy Strategic Conferences in Mumbai Chart Roadmap for Combat Readiness and Infrastructure Growth

MUMBAI, March 13, 2026 — Strengthening the operational backbone of the maritime force, the Indian Navy successfully concluded its Annual Refit Conference (ARC) and Annual Infrastructure Conference (AIC) at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai.

Held on March 11 and 12 under the aegis of the Headquarters Western Naval Command (HQWNC), these high-level summits brought together key delegates from Naval Headquarters (NHQ), all Command Headquarters, and various repair and maintenance organizations.

The dual conferences served as a critical platform to review comprehensive refit schedules and evaluate the operational availability of the Navy’s fleet of ships and submarines, ensuring the force remains prepared for any maritime contingency.

The proceedings were chaired by Vice Admiral B Sivakumar, Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition (COM), with a heavy focus on the strategic augmentation of naval infrastructure. A centerpiece of the event was the keynote address by Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) Western Naval Command, who outlined essential imperatives for boosting the combat readiness of Indian Naval platforms.

By synchronizing materiel organizations with operational commands, the conferences laid out a detailed blueprint for sustained naval operations and the modernization of technical facilities, reinforcing the Indian Navy’s commitment to a self-reliant and formidable presence in the Indian Ocean Region.