The Indian Navy displayed its strength and its latest acquisitions of advanced combat platforms in the Bay of Bengal during the President’s Fleet Review on Monday. President Ramnath Kovind, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, reviewed the naval fleet along with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Admiral R Hari Kumar, the Chief of Naval Staff. The theme for the event was ‘75 years in the Service of the Nation’.
After a 21-Gun Salute and Ceremonial Guard of Honor, the President got on board of INS Sumitra, the Presidential yacht. According to a statement from the Navy, an indigenous Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel has been designated as the Presidential yacht. The Yacht led the Presidential Column and was distinguished by the Ashoka Emblem on her side. It sailed past 44 Navy, Coast Guard, SCI and MoES ships lined up in four columns off Visakhapatnam, thus exhibiting the nation’s maritime power.
A grand flypast was organized as a part of the static review of the Fleet. In the review’s final stage, a moving column of warships and submarines displayed high-speed passes alongside the Presidential yacht. Several captivating activities were carried out such as Parade of Sails, Search and Rescue Demonstration at Sea, Aerobatics by Hawk aircraft and Water Para Jumps by the elite Marine Commandos (MARCOS).
As the presidential yacht passed between the review columns, each ship manned by her ship’s company and dressed in full regalia, saluted the President with the traditional “Three Jais” in a demonstration of the unconditional allegiance to the country and the Supreme Commander.
The President also reviewed the demonstrations in a composite flypast by 55 aircrafts, including Chetaks, ALH, Sea Kings, KAMOVs, Dorniers, IL-38SD, P8I, Hawks and MiG 29K.
Addressing the Fleet, the President said that the Indian Navy’s constant surveillance, quick response to incidents and determined efforts have been highly successful in ensuring the safety of the seas and of the maritime commons which are critical to the country’s trade and energy requirements. The President expressed his happiness that the Indian Navy is spearheading the ‘Make in India’ initiative and is becoming self-reliant with every new day.
The President displayed happiness in the fact that now around 70 per cent of the materials used in the warships and submarines that are under construction in various shipyards across the country are indigenous. He further said that it is a matter of great pride that India has built nuclear submarines and soon the country will have its indigenously built aircraft carrier, ‘Vikrant’. The president added that the development of the infrastructure for the indigenous naval shipbuilding capabilities is a great contribution to the idea of an ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
After the review, a special First Day Cover and a commemorative stamp were released by the President in the presence of the Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of State for Communication Shri Devusinh J Chauhan.
What is President’s Fleet Review and Its Significance
The President’s fleet review is arranged once under every president. The navy displays, not all ships, but all types of ships it has and the President takes stock of the Navy’s capabilities. The recently concluded was the 12th President’s Fleet Review since Independence. The last review was in 2016 under the then President Pranab Mukherjee.
The 2001 and 2006 reviews were International Fleet Reviews as ships from countries too had participated in the review. The Indian Navy too has participated in various international fleet reviews.
The fleet review is one of the long-standing traditions followed by the navies across the globe. It basically displays the allegiance and commitment of the Navy to defend the country. The Navy said in a statement that the Navy’s Presidential review comes second only to the Republic Day Parade.