Action packed day off Kochi coast today

Catch all the photos from Combined Commanders' Conference
on Tarmak007@FB here: http://on.fb.me/1QlvhcX

Japanese Navy ships in Kochi

(Navy release: Unedited)

Even as Indian and Japanese Navies completed JIMEX 12 the first ever Naval exercise between the two countries, off Tokyo last week, two Japanese Navy (Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force- JMSDF) Ships JDS Murasame and JDS Harusame called at Kochi yesterday after completing their four month anti piracy deployment in the Gulf of Aden. Captain Katsuya Yamamoto, Commander Escort Division One is embarked on JDS Murasame as the Senior Officer. The ships were received at the berth by representatives from Southern Naval Command with the Band in attendance.

Captain Yamamoto and Commanding Officers of the two ships called on Rear Admiral Shrikhande, Chief of Staff today. The itinerary of the Japanese Navy tomorrow includes briefings on Anti Piracy measures and other professional exchanges. There will also be a “Passage Exercise” at sea between the two Navies on their departure from Kochi on 16^th morning.

In another event, Southern Naval Command hosted 73 international student officers from 15 countries who have commenced their specialization courses at various training schools at Naval Base. In his welcome remarks, Rear Admiral Shrikhande  on behalf of the Commander in Chief, wished them a professionally and personally rewarding experience in “Gods Own Country” and with the Indian Navy adding that their presence was a very important manifestation of the good relationship between their countries and India. 

(Tarmak007 welcomes Satish Achanta onboard -- blog's 600th member)

HERE COMES THE IAC | Navy beefs up security at Wellingdon Island with IAC float-out | Round-the-clock surveillance for INS Dronacharaya soon

India’s Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-1) at the CSL quay after its last-week float-out. This could be possible among the first pictures of IAC being shot\published ever (!). The last image is from Google Earth. The photos are taken using an amateur camera, from a distance and definitely in a not-so-friendly environment. IAC Photos: Tarmak007
By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service

Kochi: The Indian Navy has put the security in and around Wellingdon Island on alert with its prized, home-grown possession – the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) -- setting out to quay at the Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL). While the officials at the Southern Naval Command (SNC) refused to divulge any details, Express has confirmed information that the areas in an around the ‘current position’ of IAC (INS Vikrant) is very closely monitored since its float-out last week. 

Though the IAC, an air defence ship, is currently under the control of CSL, the Indian Navy is taking no chances and has increased armed patrol. Teams from the Sagar Prahari Bal are also said to be monitoring all movements closely. The naval officials in Kochi adopted an extremely diplomatic stand when Express sought information on post-IOC float-out security. “The more we speak about it the more we let our plans out. With the ship at the quay, we will have our plans intact, though it is currently under the CSL custody,” an official said. Even commercial vessels that operate closer to the vicinity of CSL\IAC are being put under observation.

A senior serving naval official, who agreed to part with information initially back-tracked a day later, said that his higher-ups would get worried, if the ‘security cover’ for IAC becomes a talking point.

CSL sources said that the float-out completed the Phase-I activities of IAC with the hull construction. "We have established that the vessel can float safely. There have been delays due to various equipment developing serious snags. We have addressed them and have conducted a series of underwater trials, in addition to testing all hi-end technologies time and again. The Phase-II work has begun and it mainly consists of out-fitting jobs. The platform will be re-docked again," sources said.

The Indian Navy is also planning to upgrade the security levels at its Gunnery School (INS Dronacharaya) inside the Wellingdon Island. Tenders have been called for the supply, installation and commission of CCTV surveillance systems all along the periphery, including the seafront, of INS Dronacharaya. “We are looking for a complete package which gives us gapless, round-the-clock and all weather security coverage. The tenders are in and we will finalize after scrutinizing the technical and price formalities,” sources said.

(Copyright@The New Indian Express)

Snapshots from Navy demo at Kochi

Photos: MoD PRO Kochi. (Press Release below)

Southern Naval Command conducted a demonstration of its operational capabilities for the city of Kochi on December 12 at the sea facing Rajendra Maidan and Netaji Subhash Park. The entire spectrum of naval operational activities was included in the demonstration; within the limitations imposed by contours and depth of Kochi channel and other technical limitations. His Excellency Sri RS Gavai, the Governor of Kerala was the Chief Guest at the event where the residents of Kochi turned out in huge numbers.

The function started with a fly past by various Navy aircraft including the giant TU- 142 aircraft from Chennai and the IL-38 from Goa. Thereafter the marine Commandos carried out a simulated beach reconnaissance and assault with the leader of the team coming ashore in his menacing combat rig to deliver the programme brochure to the Chief Guest. This was followed by a demonstration of water sports including waterskiing and jet skiing. Next, the six member Indian Navy Sky Diving team touched down precisely at the venue from a Seaking helicopter. The next item was the demonstration of a VBSS (Visit, Board, Search and Seize) operation where the Commandos in fast rigid inflatable boats swooped down on a hostile vessel and overpowered it. The helicopter demonstrations included the Dhruv helicopter flying past the crowd with a jeep under slung, STIE( small team insertion and extraction) operation where commandos were dropped and withdrawn from a hostile area and breathtaking helobatics by two Dhruvs. A Chetak helicopter also demonstrated landing on the helicopter deck of a moving ship. The helicopter also demonstrated a rescue of a person fallen in the water.

Yet another heart stopping visual was the simulated destruction of an oil rig by Marine Commandos. INS Kalpeni and the Coast Guard Ship C144, two modern water jet propelled Fast Attack Craft demonstrated their maneuvering skills by turning around a full circle in the Kochi channel. After the solemn sun set ceremony, Navy and Coastguard ships steamed past with their illumination lights switched on. The heartwarming show ended with a fly past of all Aircraft from INS Garuda in THANKYOU formation with Commodore VK Garg leading the formation.