New Delhi: The brass of the Indian Navy will brainstorm on the themes of ‘functional reorganisation towards improving operational efficiency’ and ‘optimal manning’ during the first edition of Naval Commanders’ Conference of 2019 from April 23 to 25.

The conference assumes greater significance in the backdrop of Pulwama attack associated events that have brought the country’s defence under sharper focus.

According to the officials, discussions are planned on the acquisition of new capabilities, harnessing niche technologies like ‘big data analytics’ and ‘artificial intelligence’ for solutions in the domains of naval combat.

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The higher naval leadership will discuss the emerging challenges in the maritime domain and fine-tune the strategies for responding to the evolving geo-strategic environment.

The conference is the apex forum within the service for interaction between the Naval commanders. Senior officials will review major operational, material, logistics, HR, training and administrative activities were undertaken during the previous six months and deliberate upon the course to be steered in the ensuing six months.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to address on the opening day. The conference also serves as a platform for institutionalised interaction of Naval commanders with senior government officials.

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According to senior Navy officials, interaction with chiefs of Indian Army and Indian Air Force during the conference would be utilised to analyse the operational environment, deliberate on Tri-Service synergy and readiness to deter and neutralise threats aimed at the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.