Indian Navy is going to create a new dimension in military diplomacy. On 18th of this month i.e. 18th February, 2026, navies of 60 friendly countries are gathering in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. This will be the occasion of International Fleet Review (IFR), in which about 50 warships and submarines from India and abroad will participate.
Presidential yacht prepared for President Draupadi Murmu
The President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Draupadi Murmu will take the Guard of Honor from the warships of all the navies of friendly countries including the Indian Navy and will review the war fleet. For this special event, a special presidential yacht has been prepared in the sea (Bay of Bengal) adjacent to Visakhapatnam.
For the Presidential Yacht, a naval warship has been specially designed for the President, Defense Minister, Navy Chief and other dignitaries.
IFR is organized once in 10 years
Warships and navies of friendly countries participate in this international maritime event held once in 10 years. The last IFR was held in Visakhapatnam in 2016, in which navies from about 50 countries participated. The then President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in this event. There is every possibility of PM Modi participating in IFR-2026 this time also.
Indian Navy’s warships, submarines and other aircraft will participate
During IFR-2026, apart from the Guard of Honor at sea, Supreme Commander Draupadi Murmu will also witness a show of strength by the Indian Navy. Warships, submarines, aircraft carriers and fighter planes of the Indian Navy are going to take part in this show of strength. Indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant will lead the Indian Navy’s combat fleet.
City parade of naval contingents will be organized on 17th February
The tradition of Fleet Review goes back to the 18th century, when the Maratha Navy launched all the boats of its war fleet in the Arabian Sea. A city parade of naval contingents of friendly countries participating in IFR-2026 will also be organized in Visakhapatnam city. The Indian Navy has named it Milan. This city-parade will be organized on February 17, 2026.
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