Visakhapatnam, February 17: President Droupadi Murmu will arrive in Andhra Pradesh’s Visakhapatnam on Tuesday for a two-day visit. She will participate in the International Fleet Review (IFR).
As the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, the President will oversee this significant event. The IFR is a ceremonial gathering featuring international naval delegations, ships, submarines, and aircraft.
The IFR 2026 will commence on Tuesday with a Presidential banquet. The following day, President Murmu will review a fleet of 70 ships from India and allied nations near the Visakhapatnam coast.
Notable attendees will include Andhra Pradesh Governor Justice S. Abdul Nazeer (Retd.) and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. According to the Indian Navy, this event showcases maritime strength, mutual cooperation, and friendship, while also reflecting the country’s sovereign oversight. India previously hosted the IFR in Mumbai in 2001 and in Visakhapatnam in 2016.
Warships, submarines, and aircraft from friendly nations will gather at sea to demonstrate their strength and capabilities. The Indian aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, which played a crucial role during Operation Sindoor, will be a key highlight. Navies from allied countries will have the opportunity to observe this domestically built carrier up close.
During Operation Sindoor, the Vikrant Carrier Battle Group was a central component of the Indian Navy‘s attacking deterrent posture. Its presence forced the Pakistan Navy into a defensive position, leading them to request an early ceasefire.
The IFR 2026 will also feature an international city parade, cultural exhibitions, and public engagement activities, celebrating the world’s maritime heritage.
Additionally, Visakhapatnam is hosting the 13th edition of the Indian Navy‘s multilateral exercise ‘Milan 26,’ led by the Eastern Naval Command in the Bay of Bengal. Over 135 countries have been invited to participate.
The Milan exercise aims to strengthen professional relationships among friendly navies, share better experiences, and enhance maritime cooperation. Large-scale joint naval operations will be conducted, providing all participating nations with valuable collaborative experience.
Furthermore, the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium conference is also taking place in the city. This marks the first time India is hosting three major maritime events simultaneously.
The first IFR was held in 2001, when then-President K. R. Narayanan reviewed the fleet from INS Sukanya. The second IFR took place in 2016 in Visakhapatnam, featuring more naval participation than ever before, with around 100 warships from 50 countries. At that time, then-President Pranab Mukherjee reviewed the fleet from INS Sumitra, accompanied by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then-Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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