Vizag hosts display of Naval might

BY V L Srinivasan

Monday February 13 2006

Destroyers demonstrating their might during PFR - 2006 off the coast of Visakhapatnam

ABOARD THE INS SAVITRI: In a spectacular peacetime display of the nation’s maritime might, the three-day ninth Presidential Fleet Review of the Indian Navy got under way at the port city of Visakhapatnam on the East Coast this morning.

Flanked by two minesweepers, including the SONAR-equipped INS Karwar of the Leander Class and Marine Commandos (MARCOS) in speed boats guarding the waters, President APJ Abdul Kalam reviewed the colourfully-decorated Naval ships after embarking on the Presidential Yacht INS Sukanya which was distinguishable by an Asoka emblem on her side.

Earlier, he was presented with an impressive 21-gun salute and guard of honour at Visakhapatnam harbour.

Besides Kalam, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Union Ministers of State T Subbarami Reddy and MM Pallam Raju, Air Chief Marshal S P Tyagi, Chief of Army Staff General JJ Singh and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Arun Prakash and senior officials were present.

As many 67 warships from all Naval commands, including India’s major frontline ships like aircraft carrier INS Viraat, stealth submarines of the Kilo Class Sindhurakshak and Sindhudvaj, INS Rajput, INS Mumbai, INS Madras, INS Delhi, missile boats, Naval sea fighters and helicopters were anchored off the R K Beach in the city in full public view.

Besides naval warships, three Coast Guard ships and one Merchant Navy vessel took part in the review, which lasted about two and a half hours. The crew, lined up in five static columns, stood on the upper decks of their respective ships in white ceremonial uniforms and doffed their caps in unison, shouting three ‘‘Jais“ as the Presidential Column, comprising six ships, went past them.

This was followed by an impressive fly-past by naval aircraft, including Chetak helicopters, Kamov-25, Kamov-38, Sea Harriers, Seakings, Dornier, Kiran, Russian-made Ilyushin-38 and Tu-38 M while a mobile column of missile boats sped past the Presidential Column displaying their ability to strike at the heart of enemy territory. The warships provided a visual treat to the VVIPs who accompanied the President.