The Indian Navy MARCOS (marine commandos) displayed their fighting prowess during the Navy Week 2020 at the Southern Naval Command on 4th November. The Navy’s Operations Demonstration (Op Demo) provided an insight into operations at sea. In view of prevailing COVID-19 restrictions, the event was conducted inside Ernakulam Channel, Kochi instead of the usual Rajendra Maidan frontage.
The MARCOS began the simulated combat with beach reconnaissance and assault, using inflatable watercraft Gemini. The two-hour-long demonstration included special operations by MARCOS, from air and water; simulation of VBSS (visit, board, search and seizure) operations and helobatics by ALH and Chetak helicopters including SAR (Search and Rescue) and Slithering Ops demo. The fast-paced Special Forces operations undertaken by the MARCOS displayed stealthy insertion into the enemy area and undertook the demolition of an offshore enemy installation.
The specially trained sniffer dogs of the Indian Navy’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team demonstrated its special capability of detecting an explosive device for the team to thereafter dispose-off safely.
10 aircraft including the Fixed-wing Dornier DO 228, the Anti-Submarine warfare helicopter Westland Sea King 42 B, the indigenously manufactured surveillance and search and rescue helicopter ALH Dhruv (Advanced Light Helicopter) and the “Angels of the Sea” – Chetak helicopters, participated in the formation flypast.
Eight surface ships of the Southern Naval command undertook various demonstrations which included the simulated firing of guns and helicopter landing demos on the deck of the ship. The participating ships included the Officer training ship INS Tir and INS Tarangini, the Landing Ship Tank INS Magar, the Offshore Patrol Vessels INS Sharda and INS Sunayna, the Hydrographic Survey Ship INS Investigator and Fast Attack Crafts INS Kabra and INS Kalpeni.
A continuity drill performed by 30 men contingent from INS Dronachraya stood out for its stunning and precise discipline and skills in weapon handling. The display concluded with a Beating Retreat by the naval band and the ceremonial sunset ceremony.
All naval ships in the harbour were simultaneously illuminated on completion of the ceremonial sunset ceremony. Incidentally, these events mark the beginning of activities leading to the yearlong celebration of Swarnim Vijay Varsh being celebrated till 16 Dec 2021