After her over two-hour sortie onboard the submarine INS Vaghsheer, President Droupadi Murmu noted that the Indian Navy is combat-ready under any circumstances. Murmu is the second president to undertake a submarine sortie.
President Murmu spent over two hours onboard the indigenously-built submarine INS Vaghsheer on Sunday. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi accompanied the president during the dived sortie.
Murmu is the second supreme commander of the armed forces to undertake a submarine sortie. Former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam undertook a similar sortie onboard INS Sindhu Rakshak in February 2006.
The president embarked on the submarine at Karwar Naval Harbour, Karnataka, and during the over two-hour sortie, she interacted with the submarine's crew and witnessed the operational demonstrations, the president's office said in a statement.
Lauding the Indian Navy and subramine's crew, in the visitor's book, Murmu wrote, "The multiple successful firings and challenging operations carried out by INS Vaghsheer demonstrate the crew's exceptional preparedness and dedication, in accordance with its motto 'Veerta Varchasva Vijaya'."
Calling it a "very special experience", Murmu said, "Witnessing the discipline, confidence and enthusiasm of the Vaghsheer crew assures me that our submarines and the Indian Navy are combat-ready against any threat and under all circumstances."
During the trip, President Murmu was briefed on the role of the submarine arm in India's maritime strategy, and the operational capabilities as well as contributions in safeguarding national maritime interests, it said.
Also read
- Boeing team gets involved as US-India deal for P-8I Poseidon naval patrol aircraft remains stalled: Report
- After meeting with Rahul, Sonia Gandhi, Unnao rape survivor wants to take her plea for justice to PM Modi, President Murmu
- President Murmu gives assent to new VB-G RAM G bill, officially replacing MGNREGA
- Why Indian Navy, Air Force getting to bring their larger aircraft to Great Nicobar International Airport is bad news for New Delhi’s enemies?
In November last year, the President witnessed an operational demonstration by the Indian Navy onboard the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
INS Vaghsheer, the sixth and final submarine of the P75 Scorpene project, was commissioned into the Navy in January. It is one of the most silent and versatile diesel-electric submarines in the world, Nay officials told PTI. INS Vaghsheer was designed to undertake a wide range of missions, including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, area surveillance, and special operations, they said.