Navy launches stealth destroyer Visakhapatnam; OROP process underway, says Parrikar

Mumbai/New Delhi, April 20: Indian Navy achieved yet another milestone on Monday, April 20 when the first of P15-B stealth destroyers Visakhapatnam was put to sea from Mazagaon Docks Limited (MDL) in Mumbai.

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R K Dhowan and a host of senior naval officials were present during the occasion. The majestic ceremony saw Visakhapatnam being launched from Slip Way No 2 of MDL.

Keeping nautical traditions intact, Visakhapatnam was launched by Minu Dhowan, wife of Admiral Dhowan. A naval spokesperson said that Minu Dhowan broke the coconut on ship's bow, named the ship and wished the ship and crew to be, good luck.

Buyers' Navy to Builders' Navy: Admiral Dhowan

As reported in these columns earlier, Visakhapatnam was launched using the conventional end method.

Visakhapatnam weighed approximately 3000 tons during the launch.

Later Admiral Dhowan, a staunch supporter of home-grown projects, lauded the contributions made by MDL in meeting the growing requirements of the Navy.

"The Navy Chief was very appreciative of the role played by DRDO and the industry for relentlessly contributing towards achieving Indian Navy's dream of transforming itself from a Buyers' Navy to a Builders' Navy," the Spokesperson said.

The ship will officially take the name as ‘INS Visakhapatnam' only after its indication into the Navy in 2018.

[Read: Navy warms up to launch stealth destroyer Visakhapatnam]

Interestingly, the desi content on Visakhapatnam is higher compared to other platforms made by shipyards in India and already inducted by the Navy.

One Rank One Pay process underway: Parrikar

Speaking to Army Commanders in New Delhi, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said that much-awaited ‘One Rank One Pension (OROP)' scheme implementation process is underway.

The OROP implementation is one of the key promises made by the NDA government in the manifesto. Queries by media are often met with the stock reply that the OROP would be implemented at the ‘earliest.'

Later at the IAF commanders' conference, Parrikar was updated about the operational status of C-17 and C-130 aircraft.

"The Chief of Air Staff briefed Parrikar about the efforts put in to increase the aircraft serviceability and corresponding increase in flying task of IAF as compared to the previous year," an IAF Spokesperson said.

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