Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday said that the Indian Navy must remain a “superior force” in the Indian Ocean region and assured that the Government would extend full support for making it a truly bluewater Navy.
Addressing the sailors and officers of the newly-inducted aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya after witnessing two days of Theatre Readiness Operational level Exercise (TROPEX-2015), off the coast of Goa in the Arabian Sea, Parrikar said his stay on board the vessel had been instructive.
He said he is can now understand better the many difficult situations that defence forces, especially sailors and naval officers, face while ensuring the safety and security of the nation.
The Navy demonstrated multiple facets of operations during his stay which encompassed a variety of weapons firing, MiG 29K and Sea Harrier operations from two aircraft carriers — the other being INS Viraat — integration of the P8I aircraft with fleet, and operations by the Navy’s Marine Commandos.
INS Vikramaditya was inducted into the Navy by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June last year.