01 August 2004	Sunday	14 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

NEW DELHI, July 31: India's new navy chief, who took over on Saturday, said the force urgently needed to modernise its aging submarine fleet, while admitting the navy faces a shortage of manpower and equipment.

"The navy needs nuclear submarines but it is up to the government to take a decision on the acquisition," Admiral Arun Prakash told reporters after taking office in New Delhi, the Press Trust of India news agency said.

"We have to convince the government; we need to overcome them (shortages)," said Admiral Prakash.

"What is more needed is modern submarines sweepers and ultra modern offshore patrol vessels."

India had been negotiating with the French defence group Thales and the state-run Direction des Constructions Navales for six Scorpene submarines, worth about 2.1 billion dollars, but no announcement regarding the award of the contract has been made so far.

Admiral Prakash served as lieutenant with the Indian Air Force Fighter Bombing Squadron during the 1971 war with Pakistan.

He has commanded the Indian navy's western and eastern fleets - the two main operational commands of force.

He succeeds Admiral Madhavendra Singh who retired on Saturday.-AFP