India
Updated : Aug 01, 2014, 11:53 AM IST
In a boost to the Indian Navy’s ability to communicate with deployed submarines, the navy has built a new state-of-the-art “Very Low Frequency (VLF)” transmitting station at INS Kattaboman, Tirunelvelli, Tamil Nadu today. According to the Navy, this new facility would provide better platform for communicating with deployed ships and submarines on an uninterrupted basis throughout the year.
India is among a handful of nations in the world to possess such capabilities.
Navy Chief Admiral RK Dhowan inaugurated the facility on Thursday.
VLF radio waves are used for communicating with submarines that are underwater and the Indian Navy has been operating a similar facility for the last 24 years. The new facility incorporates cutting edge technology and will provide the Navy a significantly enhanced reach, redundancy and operational features.
The service already has an elaborate communication infrastructure, including modern satellite communication facilities, to link and network its deployed units with their home bases and command and control centres. The new VLF station will strengthen this infrastructure and provide the Navy additional operational advantages.
The new facility equipment has been constructed by M/s Larsen & Turbo divisions in Chennai and Bengaluru. Interestingly, the facility boasts of the highest masts structures in India, as well as several other unique engineering feats.