New Delhi, Nov 22 (PTI) A majority of 90 naval ships participating in a fleet review by President Pratibha Patil on December 20 off the Mumbai coast will be of Indian origin, demonstrating growing indigenisation in the Navy. "Out of the total 90 ships and submarines participating in the Presidential Fleet Review (PFR), a total of 63 vessels have been built in India. Since the first PFR, when the naval strength comprised British vessels, this is a significant indication of growing naval indigenisation," Navy officials said here today. Along with the indigenously built warships, the PFR will showcase the Navy's only aircraft carrier INS Viraat, 40 different aircraft, submarines, a training sail ship, Mhadei. Patil, after a 21-gun salute, will sail past the warships, including indigenously built destroyers INS Delhi and INS Rajput, lined up off the coast Mumbai in the Presidential yacht. Kilo-class and HWD-class submarines will also participate. The newly-inducted MiG-29K fighter jets will lead the Navy's aviation wing's fly-past during the three-and-a-half hour long ceremony. It will be followed by different flying formations of Sea Harrier fighter aircraft, Tupolev maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft and number of helicopters. "PFR is an event to showcase the readiness of naval power of the country which is reviewed by the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. Mumbai harbour will turn into a fortress during the ceremony," the officials said. The last such review of the naval fleet was in held in 2006 off the Visakhapatnam coast when A P J Abdul Kalam was the President.
Source:IBN
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