After a spectacular series of events associated with the International Fleet review, it is time to bid adieu to all the warships from foreign nations. By tradition, visiting foreign ships are escorted to the open seas on their way home. Towards increasing interoperability among participating foreign navies and providing the requisite operational element to IFR, ships will sail out from Visakhapatnam in two groups of 27 ships each for a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) on Tuesday, the 09 February 16.
The first group will be under the command of Rear Admiral Ravneet Singh NM, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, embarked onboard aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya and the second group will be under the command of Rear Admiral SV Bhokare YSM NM, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet embarked onboard the aircraft carrier INS Viraat.
This is the first ever passage exercise in Indian waters with combined participation of such larger number of foreign and Indian warships. Media personnel will be embarked on designated Indian Warships in each group for covering the exercise. The exercises planned during the PASSEX are various formation manoeuvers, cross deck landing of aircraft, Aerial photography and steam past, which is akin to a salute at sea and Au Revoir before we meet again.
On completion of the PASSEX, the foreign ships will shape course for their next destination and Indian Naval ships from other Naval commands will proceed for their designated tasks.