President's Fleet Review,Vishakapatnam

2006 Presidents Review Of Fleet

The President, as the Supreme Commander of the armed forces, reviewed the Fleet on 12 Feb 2006. This was a historic occasion for the Indian Navy and the Eastern Naval Command in particular as the Fleet Review by the President was being held for the first time on the Eastern Coast at Visakhapatnam - the ‘City of destiny’. About 50 Naval ships and 55 aircrafts participated in the Review. In this most formal of naval ceremonies, war ships from all commands were anchored in lines at the precise spots. After a 21-gun salute, the President embarked the Presidential yacht INS Sukanya, distinguishable by an Ashoka emblem on her side and reviewed all the anchored ships by steaming past them. The crew of each ship was lined up on the upper deck in white ceremonial uniform. White caps were doffed in unison in salutation as the Presidential yacht sailed by. The sound of three ‘jais’ echoed over the waves, carrying the promise of allegiance of each and every man to the President and the Nation. It is this bond that will carry through the adversities and trials of combat.

INS Sukanya is the lead ship of the Sukanya class commissioned at Masan, South Korea on 31 Aug 1989. She is an Off-shore Patrol Vessel (OPV), primarily tasked with patrolling and protection of the off-shore assets, surveillance of India’s EEZ and logistic support. High endurance and speed make Sukanya an ideal platform for off-shore patrolling duties and a highly capable Search and Rescue (SAR) platform. She is capable of day/night flying operations of Seaking, Kamov, Chetak and ALH helicopters. The ship has a compliment of 10 Officers and 110 sailors.

As a goodwill ambassador of the country, Sukanya has flown the Indian tricolour in many foreign ports and has on numerous occasions exercised with foreign naval ships. Highlights of her 16 yr old tenure have been providing escort to high value vessels through the Malacca Straits as a part of Operation Sagittarius in 2003. The ship has also earned for herself a certificate of appreciation from the Honourable President of Sri Lanka for the volunteer humanitarian service rendered at Trincomalee during the days following the Tsunami disaster. Recently INS Sukanya participated in the first joint exercise with the Sri Lankan Navy. The ship has the unique distinction of being the Presidential Yacht during the second successive Fleet Review.