Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday arrived at the Indian Naval Base INS Hansa in Goa to participate in the 'Rakshamantri's Day at Sea' programme, an official said.
The Minister presided over India's show of naval might, in which more than 10 warships, including aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, three submarines and various types of naval aircraft participated in operational manoeuvres off the western coast on Monday and Tuesday, an official statement said.
She was received by Admiral Sunil Lamba and other senior officials of the Indian Navy.
Sitharaman initially embarked on INS Kolkata, the first of the indigenously built Kolkata Class destroyers, and then spent the night at sea on board INS Vikramaditya.
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To assess the performance of the carrier in "real conditions", she transited through a simulated "multi-threat" environment on board along with the ship's escorts during Monday night, it said.
Sitharaman also presided over multiple complex naval operations, including air interceptions, missile, gun and rocket firing, ship-to-ship replenishment, night flying and anti-submarine warfare.
The Western Fleet of the Indian Navy undertook these major naval manoeuvres off the western seaboard to showcase its operational excellence and combat capabilities.
Having witnessed first-hand the prowess of the Western Fleet, I am confident that the Indian Navy is fully capable of defending the nation against any form of threat.Nirmala Sitharaman, Defence Minister
She also interacted closely and had open discussions with the sailors on board the warships.
On Tuesday, the Minister left the ship by a naval helicopter which landed at INS Hansa near here on Tuesday.
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