Indian Navy displays its awesome power

Displaying its ke-en intent to protect the economic coastline and willingness to take up tasks that call for a clarity in deterrence and an unwillingness to compromise on what is national, the Indian Navy conducted a string of impr-essive exercises on Tuesday and Wednesday that proved its ability to hold mast in turbulent waters.

A fleet of ships including INS Jalashwa, a launching platform dock (LPD) and India’s second largest ship which provides the amphibious thrust to the Eastern Fleet, conducted a whole lot of exercises to prove the offensive and defensive capabilities of the Eastern Fleet. INS Ranvir, INS Rana, INS Savitri, INS Karmuk and INS Jyothi were the other participants.

The exercise was not just a mere display of the enormous firepower that the fleet commands but also an insight into the complicated procedures and manoeuvres that have to be made in a multiple threat environment. The series of exercises taken up by the Eastern Naval Command proved the efficacy of the ships involved and the ability of the crew to shift gears when called for.

INS Jalashwa commanding officer Alok Bhatnagar observed that INS Jalashwa provided the Indian Navy with the capacity of ensuring a foothold on enemy beaches in case of a conflict situation.
He said, “INS Jalashwa gives us the much required capability to launch landing craft machine (LCMs) laden with army men and cargo to provide the much needed thrust in an amphibious operation.” One of the most eye-catching of these exercises was the stand-off bea-ching exercise, where the coordinated effort between the Navy and Army was on display. Soldiers of the 91st Battalion and MARCOS (Navy Commandos) put up a scintillating show.

The refuelling exercise was truly a gigantic one. The operation involved five ships in tow, with the INS Jyothi pumping oil through INS Jalashwa to the INS Karmuk. A mock exercise involving the 'securing an offshore rig' was also conducted.

The exercises effectively proved the intent of the Indian Navy to ward off any threat not just to the trading lines that run through our seas but also to provide the much needed bite to keep our shores safe and ready for any eventuality. Rear Admiral P. Murugesan, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, observed, “The objective is to protect the passage of trade of on-shore assets of the country.”