Strength that conquers Arabian sea; spectacular operational demonstration for Navy Day celebrations; President as chief guest

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Exercises that demonstrate the strength and precision of the Navy at sea and in the air. The Shankumugham Beach witnessed a display of India's naval might by showcasing operations including attack, rescue missions and chasing away pirates. The display was part of the Navy Day celebrations.

The demonstrations included lightning-fast land and water attack missile boats to the aircraft carrier Vikrant, built in Kochi. President Draupadi Murmu was the chief guest. The President said that the Navy is a symbol of strength and reliability.

The President was given a guard of honour by the Air Force at the airport. The warship INS Kolkata gave a 20-round gun salute. MH-60R helicopters, nicknamed Romeo, flew over to welcome the President. The warships INS Udaygiri, INS Kolkata, and INS Kamal added a splash of colour to the sky. Three Chetak helicopters circled the air with the national flag and the naval ensign.

The crowd watched with rapturous applause as the commandos freed the ship hijacked by pirates. Killer boats that attacked Karachi in the 1971 war fired missiles into the sky. MARCOS Marine Commandos parachuted in afterwards. Sea King helicopters also circled.

Vikrant receives standing ovation

The capital welcomed Vikrant with a standing ovation. Fighter jets lined up on the upper deck of Vikrant. A MiG-29K aircraft took off from the right runway. The force also showed its strength by landing a Sea-King helicopter at INS Imphal.

Six Chetak helicopters arrived and demonstrated search and rescue missions. The INS Shishumar submarine, which silently attacks the enemy on land and at sea, was also present. Patrol boats, Dorniers, and P-8I surveillance aircraft were also displayed. Union ministers Suresh Gopi and Sanjay Seth, Governor R.V. Arlekar, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and others attended.