Navy considers moving higher command course to Goa

With an aim to decongest the Mumbai naval base, the Indian Navy is planning to move the Naval Higher Command course from the Mumbai-based INS Karanja to Goa, at its existing Naval Academy in Mandovi.

The academy has moved to Ezhimala in Kerala, and so the Goa facility, with an upgraded and better infrastructure, is being considered to hold the six-month course for navy officers of the rank of Captain.

The strength of the course may be increased from 24 to approximately 40. This might even include foreign officers in future.

A source told DNA that the idea behind is to have officers from all friendly countries, as is the case in other defence training institutes like the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, and the Delhi-based National Defence College.

An officer told DNA that those courses which are open to foreign officers have a classified section strictly meant for Indian officers. As and when the naval higher command course opens for foreign officers, it would follow the same guidelines, as is the case with Indian officers in courses abroad.

According to sources, the Mandovi facility has basic cadet accommodation and training infrastructure facility. These will be upgraded and new structures will come up for better officer accommodation and a better training area, akin to a college.

Indian naval officers go for the Indian NDC-equivalent to the US Naval War College in Rhode Island for a year. The Indian Army’s Higher Command in Mhow also does not include foreign officers, and is the only army course not to have foreign student officers.