Visakhapatnam, 18 February (H.S.): President Droupadi Murmu will preside over the prestigious International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026 on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, in the iconic 'City of Destiny,' Visakhapatnam, to bolster maritime collaboration, mutual trust, and collective security through this grand multinational naval congregation.

Commencing under Indian auspices on February 15, this epochal 'International Naval Exercise Milan-2026'—concluding February 25—features over 70 nations deploying 71 warships, including 45 from the Indian Navy and 19 from partner realms, alongside submarines and aircraft in a symphony of prowess.

President Murmu, arriving Tuesday evening, embarks INS Sumedha at 9:00 a.m. to scrutinize the anchored armada amid Bay of Bengal's expanse, saluted by over 50 combat jets and helicopters—including MiG-29s, LCA Tejas, P-8I reconnaissance aircraft, and Sea King choppers—in thunderous fly-pasts, punctuated by elite MARCOS commandos executing specialized aquatic maneuvers.

Pivoting around indigenous carrier INS Vikrant, the pageant promulgates oceanic unity and amity, epitomizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's maritime vision positioning India as the Indian Ocean Region's preeminent security provider.

Instituted in 1953 under Dr. Rajendra Prasad's gaze over 33 vessels—with Visakhapatnam's 2016 redux—this iteration uniquely coalesces with Milan-2026, magnifying naval interoperability, interoperability, and domain awareness amid swelling geopolitical exigencies.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar