Andhra Pradesh   

Navy's might impresses Kalam

Special Correspondent

Array of vessels takes part in the review; President calls it fourth dimension of the Navy

VISAKHAPATNAM: The fully decked up awe-inspiring fleet of over 50 ships and an equal number of aircraft, and three submarines showcased by the Indian Navy at the Ninth President's Fleet Review (PFR) on Sunday morning impressed President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam so much that the scientist in him saw one more dimension to its three-dimensional role.

The Navy not only operated under the sea, on the sea, and above the sea, but also into space through communication satellites and reconnaissance satellites to accomplish complex missions, he observed. "This I call the fourth dimension of the Navy,'' he said, while congratulating the officers, sailors, and the supporting staff of the Navy, during his address after the PFR onboard the Presidential Yacht INS Sukanya.

The fleet included the imposing INS Viraat, the only aircraft carrier of the Navy, amphibians like Magar, Ghorpad, Mahish, and Cheetah, killers Vinash and Nirbhik, destroyers Mysore and Mumbai, frigates Ganga and Gomati, off-shore patrol vessels of Coast Guard Sarang, Varaha, Veera and Varad, mineswepers Karwarto to name a few. There were also tankers, seaward defence boats, and fast attack craft, off-shore patrol vessels of Coast Guard , besides DRDO's scientific vesel Sagardhwani, survey vessels such as Nireekshak and Darshak, and the beautiful sailing ship Tarangini. The three submarines which were presented for the review — Sindudhvaj, Sindhurakshak and Wagli — and minesweepers, were in the moving ships column.

Long-standing tradition

The PFR concluded with a flypast by helicopters of the class of Chetaks, Eagles, Seakings, and Dornier aircraft, the striking aircraft IN 38 and the largest and high-flying TU-142.

This is the second consecutive time Sukanya was chosen as the Presidential Yacht. The naval fleet review is a long-standing tradition observed by major navies of the world and an occasion when every warship is spruced up, proudly displaying its crest. Sukanya was followed by Savithri carrying mediapersons and VIPs, Sujatha and Sarada.

The President arrived to a 21-gun salute with the deafening sound echoed by the Yarada hills which end up as Dolphin's Nose which gave Visakhapatnam a natural harbour.

Union Minister for Defence Pranab Mukherjee, Union Minister of State for Defence Pallamraju, Union Minister for Mines T. Subbarami Reddy, and others were present.

Mr. Kalam released a set of four stamps commemorating the PFR, a first day cover and a brochure. The multi-coloured stamps depicting the strength of the Navy, contain the picture of India's aircraft carrier INS Viraat, fighter plane Sea Harrier, Talvar and Bramaputra class frigates, anti-submarine Sea King helicopter supported by Sandhayak class, a survey vessel and an offshore patrol vessel Vigraha of the Indian Coast Guard along with Dornier Aircraft and the submarines of Sindhughosh and Shishumar class.

The First Day Cover displays the Naval Ensign with the anchorage plan off Visakhapatnam harbour for the PFR and its route.

Addressing officers and sailors of the Navy, Mr. Kalam recalled that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1994 would result in the addition of two million sq.km. of sea area to Indian jurisdiction in the form of exclusive economic zone with full rights for economic exploitation.

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