Some media reports.Grand show by the IN for the PM.
http://www.business-standard.com/articl ... 047_1.html
An impressive array of warships, including nuclear capable submarines, and about 8000 men and officers of Indian Navy presented an exquisite display of operational capabilities in an exercise reviewed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi off the Kochi coast in Kerala today.
Having chaired the Combined Commanders Conference, an annual tri-services event held for the first time outside New Delhi onboard INS Vikramaditya, the Prime Minister reviewed the exercise about 50 km off the coast where the naval guns blazed and fighter jets roared in a dazzling display of India's military might.
The annual event, held against an operational backdrop of the high seas for the first time, was attended by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chiefs of Army, Navy and Airforce, secretaries of the government of India besides top tri-services commanders.
"Indian Navy displayed its Naval as well as air power capabilities during the approximately 40 to 45 minute (exercise). Ships of the Navy were there including submarines, as also aircraft, and about 8000 plus men of Indian Navy participated as part of the exercise," a Defence spokesman said.
He said it was the Prime Minister's Office which wanted the tri-services meet to be held in an operational setting.
"So it was moved out of the South Block and it is a reality today. It is now going to be from operational backdrops to operational backdrops," he said.
After Prime Minister Modi had chaired the meet onboard INS Vikramaditya which lasted for about an-hour-and-half, he reviewed the exercise that began with firing by naval guns followed by a rocket-fire demonstration.
"We had 30 plus ships outside, which included INS Vikramaditya, Virat, Kochi, Delhi, Mysore....," the Defence spokesman said.
"Then we had nuclear submarine INS Chakra... ...We had 60 aircraft of the Naval aviation ranging from one end of the spectrum to other end. We also showcased the actual operations of MiG 29 K from INS Vikramaditya. A number of sorties were taken off, one from the larger runway--that is 195 meters and one from the 100 meter runway," he said.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/k ... te][b]Modi watches naval might on board ship[/b]
Two MiG 29 K fighter aircraft that are part of aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya’s integral air defence during the operational demonstration witnessed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi off the Kochi coast on Tuesday.
Special Arrangement
Two MiG 29 K fighter aircraft that are part of aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya’s integral air defence during the operational demonstration witnessed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi off the Kochi coast on Tuesday.
Theatre-level operational demonstration by assorted naval ships and aircraft
Minutes past an hour-and-a-half long closed door briefing onboard Indian Navy’s flagship INS Vikramaditya on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi watched a scintillating display of naval might in a theatre-level operational demonstration put up by assorted naval ships and aircraft.
Mr. Modi reviewed a tri-services guard of honour at the naval base here earlier in the day before landing on the refurbished Soviet-era carrier on a Seaking helicopter. Behind closed doors, he chaired a session with the National Security Adviser, defence secretary, senior secretaries in the Defence Ministry and the services chiefs and top commanders discussing issues of strategic significance under the consideration of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). The Prime Minister also interacted with services personnel on board the carrier, positioned on the seas off Kochi coast in a first for the annual Combined Commanders’ Conference.
Mr. Modi was received on board with the naval band in attendance followed by naval gunfire.
Frontline vessels of the Navy, including destroyers INS Kochi, INS Delhi, INS Shivalik, INS Suvarna with the nuclear-armed Dhanush missile and the nuclear submarine INS Chakra took part in the operational demonstration and steam past. Outgoing warhorse, aircraft carrier INS Viraat participated in the demo with its integral fleet of Sea Harrier jump jets.
Sailing between carriers Vikramaditya and Viraat, Chakra dived; Seaking anti-submarine warfare helicopters demonstrated detection of submarines using their dunkers. Fast attack crafts and fast interceptor crafts simulated various scenarios in anti-piracy operations.
Chetak helicopters flew with the services flag and the national flag under-slung. The airpower demo comprised aerobatics by aircraft such as the MiG 29K, with six aircraft taking off and landing on board the Vikramaditya; missile boat INS Nirghat fired a surface-to-surface missile; P8-I and Dornier maritime recce aircraft displayed their surveillance capability; the advanced light helicopter (ALH) demonstrated its skills and an ageing Sea Harrier conducted operations from the deck of Viraat.
Sources said Mr. Modi took a tour of the Vikramaditya, inspecting its command and control facilities besides weapon and communications systems when he was briefed on the carrier’s operational utility and versatility.[/quote]