Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Saturday reached Goa and went aboard INS Vikramaditya, the largest and most
powerful aircraft carrier inducted into the Indian Navy, marking his first
visit to a military facility after assuming office last month. He also hopped
into the cockpit of a MiG-29 K fighter jet.
The prime minister took the salute
and also met and interacted with the crew on board INS Vikramaditya.
Modi was accompanied by navy chief
Admiral R.K. Dhowan, and was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour.
The 44,500-tonne INS Vikramaditya,
procured from Russia, is one of the newest acquisitions of the Indian Navy and
the most powerful symbol of its military reach. It was commissioned by then
defence minister A.K. Antony last November at Russia's Sevmash shipyard.
INS Vikramaditya | File/Express
Dressed in his trademark kurta churidar and a blue waist coat, a smiling Modi
waved his naval cap from the cockpit of the MiG-29 K during his several minute
long stint in the pilot's seat of one of India's most advanced fighter jets.
The carrier can carry 30 aircraft
while at sea.
During his "day at sea"
with the Western Naval Command fleet, Modi will witness an air power
demonstration by various naval aircraft, including MiG 29K, Sea Harriers, P8 I
long-range maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft, TU 142M, IL 38
SD, Dorniers, Kamov and Sea King helicopters.
He will also watch high-speed
manoeuvres by the Western Fleet ships, including aircraft carrier INS Viraat,
Delhi class destroyers and Talwar class frigates.
His visit to Goa, where he will take
part in a series of events, is his first domestic visit since he became the
prime minister last month.
Modi, who is on his first military
outing, will also witness take-off and 'arrestor wire landing operations' and
high speed low level operations of MiG-29 K fighters on INS Vikramaditya's
deck.
INS Vikramaditya has an overall
length of 284 metres and a beam of 60 metres, stretching as much as three
football fields put together. Standing about 20 storeys tall from keel to the
highest point, the vessel has 22 decks.
With over 1,600 personnel on board,
Vikramaditya is literally a floating city. Linked to the personnel on board is
mammoth logistics requirement - nearly 100,000 eggs, 20,000 litres of milk and
16 tonnes of rice, to name just a few, per month.
During his visit to Goa, Modi is
expected to announce some development projects for the state that has played a
crucial role in his political career.
