Thiruvananthapuram: In connection with Navy Day falling on December 4, Shangumugham beach and its adjoining sea will, for the first time, become the venue for an impressive display of naval power. Advanced by a day from its earlier schedule, Navy will showcase a maritime power demonstration over its combat readiness and capabilities on December 3. Various warships will offer spectacular views to spectators over the sea at Shangumugham. The Southern Naval Command in Kochi is organising this grand visual spectacle titled ‘Operation Demo’.

From Thursday onwards, naval ships will begin arriving in the coastal waters between Valiyathura and Veli. Full-dress rehearsals will be held at Shangumugham beach on the afternoons of November 29 and December 1. President Droupadi Murmu will be the chief guest for the power demonstration on December 3, and Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar will be the host for the event.

The full-dress rehearsals of the demonstrations by naval personnel will take place on November 29 and December 1 in the sea at Shangumugham, according to Commodore Viju Samuel. He noted that the state government is extending full support to the event. Pavilions for the President, the Navy Chief, chiefs of other armed forces, the Governor and the Chief Minister have already been prepared. A command-and-control centre to direct the visiting ships has also been set up. As this is a high-security zone, surveillance cameras and strong security arrangements by the Navy and the police are already in place.

The event will feature India’s indigenously built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, along with various warships, small vessels and patrol craft from naval bases across the country. Aerobatic manoeuvres, parachute troops descending from canopies in the colours of the national flag onto ships and the shore, rescue of distressed fishermen and counter-terror operations against intruders breaching India’s maritime borders by sea will all form part of the thrilling visual extravaganza over the sea at Shangumugham.