Visakhapatnam: International Fleet Review (IFR)- 16 will see an aviation extravaganza with close to 90 Naval aircrafts operating from INS Dega to put up a spectacular flypast and Operational demonstration showcasing the might of the Indian Naval Fleet Air Arm. The flypast scheduled on Feb. 6 at RK Beach will see the Supreme Commander - President of India Pranab Mukherjee review the International Fleet along with fighters, maritime reconnaissance patrol aircraft and helicopters of Naval Air Arm. The flypast will comprise of 15 formations, including two formations of Indian Coast Guard.
This will display the latest acquisitions of Indian Navy, which include the MiG 29 K fighters, Hawk MK 132 Advanced Jet Trainers (AJT), Long range Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft P-8I Poseidon, Airborne Early Warning KM– 31 helicopters, along with other stalwarts such as Sea Harriers, IL – 36, Medium range reconnaissance aircraft Dornier – 228, ALH, Seaking 42B/C, UH3H and Chetak helicopters. During turns, while reviewing the International Fleet, a scintillating helobatics display by helicopters and air combat manoeuvres by Hawk MK 132 AJT aircraft promises to mesmerise one and all.
On Feb. 7, all aircraft operating from INS Dega will showcase the operational air power of Indian Navy in front of the Prime Minister. OP Demo will comprise of a flypast by the helicopters while aerobatic and combat manoeuvres by fighter aircraft promise to put up a display . These will include a bomb burst manoeuver followed by air combat manoeuvring by Hawk MK 132 aircraft. Indian Navy will have its two operational aircraft carriers INS Viraat and INS Vikramaditya display launch and recovery of Sea harrier and MiG 29K aircraft respectively. A sea harrier hover demo, aerobatics by MiG 29K, armament demo comprising of rocket firing by Hawk are also planned will also bebe on disand MiG 29K comprises of other demonstrations planned during the event. The event will culminate with precision combat freefall drops of Marine Commandos by Seaking 42C aircraft in which the first MARCOS will present the Prime Minister with the official IFR - 16 Indian Heritage Book.
The naval aircraft will be operated from naval air station INS Dega. On the operational front, the Air Station has significantly augmented the existing aviation support facilities services by procuring state of the art lighting systems, cranes, Crash Fire Tenders and Mechanical Runway Sweepers. In order to cater for unforeseen contingencies, the security of the Air Station has also been beefed up and regular exercises in co-ordination with AAI, CISF, CRPF, Police and the State Administration have ensured a high level of preparedness for the event.
Mauritius, Myanmar sending ships to Vizag:
Mauritius and Myanmar have confirmed their participation in the upcoming mega event of the Indian Navy- International Fleet Review (IFR). While Mauritius is sending its Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), Myanmar is sending a frigate. Mauritius Coast Guard Ship (MCGS) Barracuda is a multi-mission capable OPV operated by the National Coast Guard of Mauritius. The ship has been constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, (GRSE), Kolkata, India, and was jointly commissioned by the Prime Ministers of Mauritius and India, at Port Louis, on March 12, 2015. The ship is fitted with armament that makes it fully capable of undertaking missions against illegal fishing, smuggling, piracy and carrying out EEZ surveillance.
MCGS Barracuda has been equipped with pollution response gear to deal with environmental contingencies and external fire-fighting arrangements to assist other vessels in distress. The ship enables Mauritius in protecting and supporting its outer island territories, located more than 600 Nm away from the African mainland. UMS King Aung Zeya is the first of the 2,500 ton Aung Zeya class of frigates operated by the Myanmar navy. The lead ship of the class is named after Aung Zeya (Alaungpaya), the founder of Myanmar’s Konbaung Dynasty. The ship is equipped with eight YJ-62 SSMs, one Oto Melara 76 mm main gun, four 30 mm AK 630 AA guns with associated sensors which include a radar and sonar.
