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The escorts for today consist of the destroyer INS Mysore (D60) in the lead, followed by the frigate INS Ganga (F22) and the large patrol craft, INS Subhadra (P51). INS Ganga (left), the Type 16 "Godavari" class frigate has been upgraded with the Elta STAR radar which replaces the Head-Net, and 24 Barak VLS cells which replace the previous load of 20 OSA-M (SA-N-4) SAM.   

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(Above) Half-way enroute, we meet two Super Dvora Mk.II Extra Fast Attack Craft, T-80 and T-81.

Rendezvous with two Veer (Tarantul-2) class corvettes. (Left) Here, INS Vidyut (K-48) fires a green verey flare from it's P-20 Styx launch tubes, signifying a simulated missile launch. Note the Garpun-Bal-E radar. The second Veer, INS Prabal, approaches from the other side and fires a red verey flare. 

Type 15 'Delhi' class Destroyer, INS Mysore approaches, looking very fine in it's new, brighter paint scheme. It's heavy warload including the quadruple KT-184 launchers for the Uran AsHM, is extremely apparent. Although these are primarily designed for anti-ship duties, they are more likely to be used for land attack, as this is the Navy's primary goal during conflict.  

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(Above) The five 533 mm quin torpedo tubes and the 32 cell Barak VLS of the Mysore, become visible. The missile symbols painted on the side, represent live firing. Two Elta EL/M-2221 STGRs are installed starboard and port for fire control, replacing the earlier MR-123-2 directors. Earlier, these destroyers had four AK-630 but two of the former were replaced with 16 Barak cells each. With the existing 48 Shtil, SAM load increases to 80 rounds. For the jackstay demonstration, Viraat fires two shots and sends a few volunteers back and forth. Standard distance to be maintained is 80 feet.   

The Delhi class destroyers can accommodate two Seaking Mk.42B/C Helicopters. The ship is noted to be fast, quiet, agile and extremely well built. Normally, Talwar class Frigates would also be expected to accompany the Viraat as escorts, but are not present today. Incidentally, in the intra-Naval regatta, the Viraat is almost always the winner, for which the crew get to adorn a patch, plus a huge trophy of a "chicken"..er.."cock". This time, the crew took the liberty of giving themselves all the merchandise prior to actual winning - again!    

A Kilo class sub, INS Sindhushastra, surfaced and dived quite some distance away, never really exposing anything other than the periscope. INS Sindhushastra was the very first sub of the IN to be equipped with the Novotar Klub-S ASCM. Some ships and subs are now testing underwater thermal cameras of Israeli origin. These sensors are supposed to identify submerged vessels out to 20-30 km.

3.2 Mass launch - Time to fly 

80 nautical miles from the coast, it's finally time to launch the aircraft onboard. The Chetaks will deploy first, followed by the Seakings and finally the Sea Harriers. 

The composite blades of  Seaking IN-321 are automatically unfolded into position as the music of engine power-up starts. Nitrogen filled blades of the earlier Seaking Mk.42A used to cause major problems and grounding when they leaked. 

Once the deck is deemed clear of any foreign objects after at least two sweeps, the engines may power up and start running. 

IN-521 patiently awaits it's turn, rotors running. One thing that is noted is that the Seaking doesn't quite have the impact or the wonderful sound of a Ka-31 startup.  

Chetaks will be the first to deploy. Engines of all the aircraft onboard are started and are kept running, waiting the final mass launch cue. When signaled, personnel will run to remove the landing gear blocks and the aircraft will finally takeoff within 2 seconds.   

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IN-480 is the next to lift off. Unlike IN-439, this example will stick around for a while.

IN-480 makes a fast break towards INS Ganga and hovers over the forward deck of the frigate.

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