Spectacular Army-Navy Demo Marks Affiliation of INS Sahyadri to Poona Horse at ENC
Spectacular Army-Navy Demo Marks Affiliation of INS Sahyadri to Poona Horse at ENC
An affiliation ceremony of the latest Indian Navy frigate in her class, INS Sahyadri, with one of the oldest regiments of the Indian Army, the Poona Horse was held at the Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam on 24th December 2016. Lt Gen RV Kanitkar, AVSM, SM, VSM, Colonel of the Poona Horse Regiment and Vice Admiral HCS Bisht, AVSM, ADC, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Naval Command graced the event hosted by Rear Admiral B Dasgupta, YSM, VSM, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet (FOCEF) onboard INS Sahyadri.
Exchange of charter
The ceremony commenced with the inspection of the combined Army-Navy Ceremonial Guard. After the welcome address by Captain Anil Jaggi, Commanding Officer, INS Sahyadri, the ship was formally affiliated to the Regiment with the reading, signing and exchange of the Affiliation Charter by FOCINC ENC and Colonel of the Poona Horse Regiment.
Exchange of mementos
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Colonel of the Regiment and the FOC-IN-C, ENC emphasised the importance of achieving the aims listed in the charter of affiliation. The General and the Admiral also extended their best wishes to the officers, men and families of the two units. The ceremony was followed by exchange of mementos and introduction of officers and men of the two units to the Commander-in-Chief and Colonel of the Regiment.
Exchange of mementos
The Poona Horse, is an Armoured Corps regiment which was raised on 15 Jul 1817 through the Treaty of Poona between British and Bajirao II, the Peshwa. The regiment has fought and served with great distinction and honour, winning several legendary battles such as the Battle of Koregaum, Afghan Wars, Battle of Kooshab, Indo Pak Wars of 65 and 71. It is the only regiment in the history which was appreciated by the enemy and awarded ‘Fakhr-e-Hind’ by Pakistan during 1965 war. The Poona Horse has also accomplished the highest number of battle honours in entire commonwealth nation and is the only armoured regiment in the Indian Army with Param Vir Chakra Award. The regiment, also called “Poona Horse Family”, is known for the spirit of valour, camaraderie and excellence with a motto “Ran Vir Jai Sada” which means “The gallants, always victorious on battlefield”.
Exchange of mementos
INS Sahyadri, one of the latest indigenous weapon platforms of the Eastern Naval Command, was constructed at Mazagaon Dock Ltd, Mumbai. This stealth ship is armed with an array of weaponry such as Surface-to-Surface missiles, Surface-to-Air missiles, medium range and short range guns and anti submarine warfare capabilities. The ship is a part of the Eastern Fleet and has excelled in several joint exercises, HADR missions, foreign deployments and has been awarded the ‘Best Ship Trophy’ of the Eastern Fleet for two consecutive years. The frigate draws her name from the majestic Sahyadri mountain ranges of Western Ghats with a motto of “Shauryen Sambudhya cha Shatrujay” meaning “Victory through Valour and Wisdom”.
VAdm HCS Bisht FOCINC East inspecting the Guard of Honour
The affiliation between Naval ships and Army regiments was instituted in 1990 with an aim to foster a spirit of cooperation, understanding and jointmanship between Army and Naval units. Even though they operate in different theatres, it is the Army and Navy’s coordinated battle efforts that can bring about dominance and win wars. The affiliation is, thus, a symbol of inter-service camaraderie that goes a long way in execution of joint operations and interdependence in modern warfare.
VAdm HCS Bisht FOCINC East addressing the gathering
