President Droupadi Murmu witnesses Navy ops off Goa coast

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday witnessed the operational demonstrations by the Indian Navy off the coast of Goa on aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.

She arrived at INS Hansa – the Naval Air Station at Goa – from where she boarded a helicopter to embark the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant at sea off Goa.

The warship was operating in the company of 15 frontline warships and submarines of the Indian Navy. This was President Murmu’s maiden visit to Indian Navy ships at sea. The President, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed forces and was provided a briefing on the Indian Navy’s role and charter and the concept of operations.

The President thereafter witnessed several naval operations, including deck-based fighter take-offs and landings, missile firing drills from a warship, submarine operations, flypasts of over 30 aircraft, and culminating with traditional steam-past of warships.

The President also interacted with the crew of INS Vikrant over lunch, which was followed by her address to the fleet that was broadcast to all units at sea.

Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and the Western Mavy Commander Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh were at the event.