Despite the reservations on the efficacy of the "salute to coronawarriors", India is set to see a countrywide mobilisation of the armed forces tomorrow, Sunday, May 3, if only for a ceremonial. All three services plus the Coast Guard. The logistics are huge and intricate.
The debate on whether it is worthwhile has been put aside.
A heads-up.
This is what former navy chief, Admiral L Ramdas writes:
sabrangindia.in/article/mayday…
This is what former navy chief, Admiral L Ramdas writes:
sabrangindia.in/article/mayday…
It should matter what writers like @realkaypius have to say: thequint.com/voices/opinion…
Former navy chief Adm. Arun Prakash @arunp2810:
"Given deep resources of tpt, logistics, med facilities & manpower, our military could have served citizens in meaningful ways ...
"Given deep resources of tpt, logistics, med facilities & manpower, our military could have served citizens in meaningful ways ...
Adm. Arun Prakash (@arunp2810) (cont'd):
"...& even helped repatriate starving, itinerant migrants in organised manner. But if fly-pasts & petal showering is considered their optimal use; so be it."
"...& even helped repatriate starving, itinerant migrants in organised manner. But if fly-pasts & petal showering is considered their optimal use; so be it."
Meanwhile, in Pakistan: Dr.Mahra Butt @MahraButt: Frontline healthcare workers...need PPE not your salutes. I am very scared for my colleagues & friends who have to deal with an incompetent government that doesn't care about human life. Give them #PPE atleast!
The numbers boggle the mind. How can ships ensure social-distancing? But colleague @AbhishekBhalla7 has this to report: indiatoday.in/india/story/co…
Lt Gen PrakashMenon @prakashmenon51 asks Lt.Gen H S Panag @rwac48 : "CDS-IAF-conduct fly past from Srinagar to Tvm.From dibrugarh to Kutch. Hosps to be showered petals..IN -light up at sea, Army-band display. ...Wonder who comes up with these ideas?"
The thread is a must-read.
The thread is a must-read.
@neeraj_rajput reports:
C-130 transport aircraft will follow a similar profile as fighters covering the entire Delhi-NCR region. The aircraft will be flying at an approximate height of 500 meters to 1000 meters
C-130 transport aircraft will follow a similar profile as fighters covering the entire Delhi-NCR region. The aircraft will be flying at an approximate height of 500 meters to 1000 meters
So how much does it cost to fly the military aircraft? A one-hour C-130 sortie costs about USD 7100.
See this: businessinsider.com/price-military…
See this: businessinsider.com/price-military…
That means, for the US, four years back, it cost upwards of Rs 5,37,000 to keep a C-130 Hercules flying for an hour.
The C-130s will be among aircraft flying tomorrow in the "salute to corona warriors" that India has planned.
The C-130Js are transport/special ops aircraft, smaller than the giant C-17 Globemaster III. Among fighter jets that will be flown across the country are Sukhoi 30 MKI, MiG-29 and the Jaguar over the national capital.
"Educated illiterate class" : Gen. Bipin Rawat on critics of armed forces.
Colleague @sumit0707 has interviewed him for @TV9Bharatvarsh.
Colleague @sumit0707 has interviewed him for @TV9Bharatvarsh.
@AnjaliMody1 an attempt at your question
An Indian Coast Guard ship and a helicopter decked-up for tomorrow's show. 46 CG ships and 10 copters will be involved. 
Would be delighted if anyone can point me to a per tonne cost of rose petals and help in estimating how many tonnes would be required to shower them at 25 venues.
Indian Air Force @IAF_MCC statement: the aircraft for tomorrow's salute to coronawarriors is being combined with routine flying. No aircraft is getting airborne for just the flypast. Transport aircraft would be carrying load.
Note: this could mean that the cost of the flypast will be borne from the IAF's operational budget and that there would be no additional expenses.
Follow @SaurabhJoshi for the updates on the flypast tomorrow at the times at which the aircraft will be over each city.
How many aircraft of the IAF, @SaurabhJoshi ?
