The Indian Navy successfully executed the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026 off the coast of Visakhapatnam on February 18, 2026, featuring participation from 74 countries. This grand maritime event served to highlight global naval cooperation, professional camaraderie, and India’s advancing maritime capabilities. IFR 2026 marks the third such review hosted by India, following previous iterations in Mumbai (2001) and Visakhapatnam (2016).
In a significant demonstration of India’s naval prowess, President Droupadi Murmu, who serves as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, reviewed the fleet from INS Sumedha, an indigenously constructed Offshore Patrol Vessel that served as the Presidential Yacht for the occasion. INS Sumedha was decorated with the Ashoka Emblem and flew the President’s Standard. The review commenced with a ceremonial Guard of Honour and a 21-Gun Salute, after which the President sailed past a grand assembly of anchored warships.
A total of 85 ships participated in the review, including 19 foreign warships. The Indian contingent comprised 60 ships from the Indian Navy, four vessels from the Indian Coast Guard, and one ship each from the Shipping Corporation of India and the National Institute of Ocean Technology. The event further showcased three Indian Navy submarines, alongside a French Atlantique maritime patrol aircraft, and over 60 aircraft, exhibiting a robust multi-domain maritime capability.
The review included a spectacular fly-past by the Indian Naval Air Arm, complemented by a mobile column of warships and submarines steaming past the Presidential Yacht. Spectacular highlights of the event featured a Parade of Sails, Search and Rescue demonstrations, and aerial manoeuvres by Hawk aircraft, presenting a vivid display of operational coordination at sea.
During her address, President Murmu underscored India’s inclusive maritime vision, stating that the significant participation of numerous friendly nations illustrated the ethos of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”—the belief that the world is one family. She elaborated on India’s MAHASAGAR vision (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) and noted that the event’s theme, “United Through Oceans,” conveyed a powerful message of collective security and cooperation to the global community.
International Fleet Review 2026 was broadcast live on Doordarshan and streamed on the Indian Navy’s official digital platforms, allowing audiences worldwide to witness this remarkable occasion. The event reaffirmed India’s commitment to maritime partnerships, interoperability, and collective security while showcasing the Indian Navy’s indigenous strength, professionalism, and enduring global partnerships.
