81 ships, 44 jets in action as supreme commander of armed forces attends President’s Fleet Review in Mumbai.
Describing guarding of coasts as a major pre-requisite for a nation’s development, president Pratibha Patil on Tuesday said securing maritime borders has become significant for “economic and social growth”.
Patil reviewed the mammoth naval fleet in Mumbai by sailing in warship INS Subhadra during the 10th President’s Fleet Review. The Review happens only once in the five-year tenure of a president, which gives a glimpse of the country’s maritime capability.
The president was accompanied by defence minister AK Antony and three service chiefs on board the warship.
Along with 60-plus naval warships which had come from various naval commands including Andaman and Nicobar, 81 ships participated in the event which included a fly past by 44 aircraft from navy and Coast Guard.
“Our nation is surrounded by water bodies on three sides. This gives us an inherent geographical advantage, but it also poses numerous security challenges,’’ Patil said donning a naval officer’s cap.
“The oil exploration activities off our coasts and sea are of significant economic importance. Therefore, the protection of our coasts, our sea line of communications and the offshore development areas is a major pre-requisite for our nation’s development,” she added.
Praising navy’s efforts against piracy, Patil said, “Navy has been actively involved in anti-piracy missions since 2008 and has earned the gratitude of the maritime community and of other navies operating in the region.’’
The review began at 9 am with 150 men Guard of Honour and the customary 21-gun salute accorded to the president, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
Patil began the review by first sailing past the INS Agray — an anti-submarine patrol vessel — as the sailors took off their caps and hailed their Supreme Commander with shouts of Rashtrapati ki Jai. Patil, in response, stood up and saluted each of the ships.
President said the Indian navy has grown in strength and stature over the last decade.
Launch of nuclear submarine Arihant and induction of indigenous built Shivalik class frigates have given India navy an edge over other neighbouring country’s naval power, she said.
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