President Droupadi Murmu will arrive in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on Tuesday for a two-day visit to witness the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026. As Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, she will review the ceremonial assembly of international naval delegations, ships, submarines and aircraft.
The IFR 2026 will commence with a Presidential Banquet on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the President will review a fleet of 70 ships from India and friendly nations at the anchorage area off Visakhapatnam. Andhra Pradesh Governor Justice S. Abdul Nazeer (Retd) and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will also attend the event.
According to the Indian Navy, the review showcases maritime strength, cooperation and camaraderie while reaffirming sovereign oversight. India previously hosted IFRs in 2001 in Mumbai and in 2016 in Visakhapatnam.
Warships, submarines and aircraft from friendly nations will assemble at sea to demonstrate their capabilities. The centrepiece of the event will be INS Vikrant, the indigenous aircraft carrier that led the naval leg of Operation Sindoor.
The Vikrant carrier battle group, deployed in the northern Arabian Sea, formed the core of the Navy’s offensive deterrent posture during Operation Sindoor. Its role in compellence reportedly forced the Pakistan Navy into a defensive position and prompted an urgent ceasefire request.
IFR 2026 will also feature an International City Parade, cultural exhibitions and public engagement programmes celebrating global maritime heritage.
Visakhapatnam is concurrently hosting the 13th edition of MILAN, the Navy’s flagship multilateral exercise under the Eastern Naval Command in the Bay of Bengal, with over 135 countries invited. The city is also venue to the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium Conclave, marking the first time India is hosting all three major maritime events together.
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