3 Scorpene subs, 26 Rafale-M jets deal likely by Jan

Chinese activity in Indian Ocean remains a worry, says Navy chief

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

The government has approved the construction of two indigenously-designed nuclear attack submarines and may ink contracts next month to procure 26 naval variants of Rafale jets and three Scorpene submarines, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi said on Monday.

At a press conference ahead of Navy Day, Admiral Tripathi said his force is keeping a close watch on the Chinese naval activities in the Indian Ocean, and described as "surprising" the growth of the Pakistan Navy given the condition of its economy, adding the eight brand new submarines being built will add significant combat potential to it. The Indian Navy is tweaking its strategy to "negate" any infringement in its area of operations and "we are fully ready to tackle all threats from our neighbours", he asserted.