Navy families have a 'sea day' on INS Viraat

Mumbai, Jan 13 (UNI) Country's only operational aircraft carrier ''INS Viraat' today had special guests on board when 4,000 family members of navy personnel undertook a small voyage on the Arabian sea.

On the occasion of ''Naval Family Day'' today, INS Viraat came calling. ''Blue water'' of Arabian sea came to its own when ten ships of Indian Navy followed her and with her majestic presence she captured the imagination of everyone for at least two hours.

The 750-foot long and 28,000-tonne ''Viraat'', carrying a complement of ten aircraft, including two fighter aircraft, cruised for 30 nautical miles in the sea.

Commissioned into the Indian Navy on May 12, 1987, ''Viraat'' displayed her mighty prowess and proved why she is still regarded as the ''Queen of the Sea''.

The fighter aircraft on board, Sea Harrier, a versatile transonic jet, showed its unique capability of vertical take-off and landing. Operated by a single pilot and armed with 30 mm guns, air-to-surface missiles, bombs, rockets and other ammunition, its main role is the air defence of the fleet. The Sea Harrier is capable of anti-ship strikes, close air support and reconnaissance.

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