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Navy displays fighting prowess

— Photo:T. Singaravelou

ADVENTUROUS exercise: A column of fire rises from the sea during a demonstration of the Navy in Puducherry on Thursday.

PUDUCHERRY: The beachfront on Thursday evening turned into a war zone with the air and sea warriors of the Indian Navy displaying their fighting prowess.

Braving inclement weather and cloudy sky, the warriors displayed the Navy’s capabilities in protecting the country’s shores from alien attack and keeping surveillance of the coastline, besides their competence in search and rescue operations.

The display part of the Navy Week celebrations started with a flypast by two Chetak helicopters carrying the National Flag and Naval Ensign over a column of seven war ships lined up, half a kilometre from the shore, much to the cheers of a large crowd.

Soon to be followed was the demonstration of the landing and taking off capabilities of helicopters on moving ships.

Anti-submarine helicopters, Kamov 25, Kamov 28 and Seaking did it with precision on the small decks of the ships.

Then came the display by Fast Attack Craft, which are used to carry out high-speed interceptions close to the coast and demonstration of the Marine Commandos (MARCOS) team of the Navy.

The MARCOS, meant to carry out covert and overt operations with speed and lethality, showed their capabilities by blowing up a simulated oilrig close to the beach.

Smoke billowed over the sky as a team of commandos dropped from a helicopter and set fire to the mock rig.

The Navy’s latest acquisition, INS Jalashwa, an amphibious transport dock, was also displayed at the show.

Then there was a flypast by Navy’s TU 142 reconnaissance aircraft which can fly non-stop for about 12 hours, followed by a reckie of Dornier aircraft. The show ended with a formation by the ships, all illuminated, and a melodious performance by the Indian Naval Band.

A note issued by the Navy said the Navy Week was celebrated to commemorate “the daring attack on Karachi harbour by the Navy during the Indo-Pak conflict in 1971.”

As a practice a series of events were organised during November-December to commemorate the occasion and also to create awareness of the Navy’s preparedness and capabilities among people, the note said.

Those who witnessed the display included Lieutenant Governor Mukut Mithi, Minister for Industries V. Vaithilingam, MLAs and senior government officials.

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