KOCHI: People of Kochi were awestruck on Sunday by the breathtaking adventurous activities of Indian Navy, performed both on and off the shore, and in skies, during the naval operations demonstration at Kochi backwaters.
Organised as part of the ongoing Navy Week Celebration, the demonstration began with a marine commando delivering the programme schedule to Governor Justice (retd) P Sathasivam. A flypast by 13 aircrafts, comprising helicopters and fixed-wing planes of the Navy, including the latest P8-I from the INS Garuda naval air station, set the tempo for the rest of the activities, which continued for over an hour.
Other operation demonstrations included landing of a Sea King helicopter onto a moving warship, weapons firing, special operations by marine commandos from air and water and others. Helobatics by Advanced Light Helicopter INS Ranjit, helicopter landing display on board patrol vessel INS Sunayna and sail training display by sailship INS Sudarshini also provided spectators a glimpse of the various activities at sea.
A continuity drill by two contingents from INS Dronachrya stood out for its stunning and precise discipline and skills in weapon handling. The demonstration concluded with the ceremonial sunset ceremony followed by lowering of the National Flag and Naval Ensign after which, all the warships sailed past the gathering with their silhouettes illuminated.