Creating History Indian PM Chairs Commanders’ Meet On Board INS Vikramaditya
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over a combined commanders' conference on Tuesday (December 16) morning aboard INS Vikramaditya, stationed about 40 nautical miles on the high seas.
INS Vikramaditya is a modified Kiev-class aircraft carrier that was inducted in the Indian Navy in 2013.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, apart from the three chiefs of the army, navy and airforce and other high-ranking defence officials were present at the meeting.
The Army Chief General Dalbir Singh, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R K Dhowan and Chief of Air Staff Marshal Arup Raha have reached Kochi on Monday to take part in the event, which is held outside Delhi for the first time.
Also known as the Unified Commanders’ Conference, the meet is crucial as it discusses in detail national defence policy and operational challenges.
During the three-and-a-half-hour meeting, the chiefs of the three forces briefed the Prime Minister about the previous year’s performance and the challenges ahead.
"Indian Navy displayed its naval as well as air power capabilities during the approximately 40 to 45 minute (exercise). Ships of the Navy were there including submarines, as also aircraft, and about 8000 plus men of Indian Navy participated as part of the exercise," a Defence spokesman said.
After Prime Minister Modi had chaired the meet onboard INS Vikramaditya which lasted for about an-hour-and-half, he reviewed the exercise that began with firing by naval guns followed by a rocket-fire demonstration.
