The Indian Navy is set to hold a significant Operational Demonstration (Op Demo) as part of the Navy Day 2024 celebrations, taking place off the coast of Puri, Odisha. This large-scale event aims to showcase the Navy’s advanced capabilities and operational readiness. President Droupadi Murmu will grace the occasion as the chief guest, with Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi presiding over the proceedings.
In attendance will be prominent figures including the Governor of Odisha, the Chief Minister, various Union and State Ministers, and several military dignitaries. This marks the second instance in which the Indian Navy has organized such an expansive event at a location outside a major naval station, underscoring its commitment to engaging with the public and stakeholders in different regions of the country.
The Op Demo is expected to feature a formidable assembly of naval units, collectively weighing approximately 90,000 tonnes. These units are equipped with sophisticated weapons and sensors capable of neutralizing potential threats from surface, sub-surface, or aerial sources within a significant operational radius of 300 kilometers. The demonstration will involve over 3,500 personnel who will be engaged in various capacities at sea, alongside an additional 350 personnel coordinating activities from the shore.
The Navy Day 2024 celebrations will prominently display the Indian Navy’s homegrown advanced technologies, reflecting the government’s push for ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India). The event aligns with the Navy’s commitment to being the ‘Preferred Security Partner and First Responder’ within the Indian Ocean Region, a strategy guided by the vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR). This operational demonstration is not only a celebration of the Navy’s capabilities but also a reaffirmation of India’s maritime security posture in the region.
