Visakhapatnam, February 17: President Droupadi Murmu will arrive in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, for a two-day visit to participate in the International Fleet Review (IFR). As the supreme commander of India’s armed forces, she will oversee this significant event. The IFR is a ceremonial gathering featuring international naval delegations, ships, submarines, and aircraft.
The IFR 2026 will commence with a Presidential banquet on Tuesday. The following day, President Murmu will review a fleet of 70 vessels from India and allied nations near the Visakhapatnam coast.
Notable attendees will include Andhra Pradesh Governor Justice S. Abdul Nazeer (Retired) and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. According to the Indian Navy, this event showcases maritime power, 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 allied 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 major highlight of this event. Navies from allied countries will have the opportunity to closely observe this indigenous aircraft carrier.
During Operation Sindoor, the Vikrant Carrier Battle Group was a key component of the Indian Navy‘s attacking deterrent posture. Its presence forced the Pakistan Navy into a defensive position, leading to a swift request for a ceasefire.
The IFR 2026 will also feature an international city parade, cultural exhibitions, and public engagement events aimed at celebrating the world’s maritime heritage.
Additionally, the Indian Navy is hosting the 13th edition of the multinational exercise ‘Milan 26’ in Visakhapatnam, 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 ties among allied navies, share best practices, 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 is also being held in the city. This marks the first time India is hosting three major maritime events simultaneously.
The inaugural IFR took place in 2001 when then-President K. R. Narayanan reviewed the fleet from INS Sukanya. The second IFR occurred in 2016 in Visakhapatnam, with more nations participating than ever before, totaling nearly 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.