The Indian Navy successfully conducted the International Fleet Review (IFR)
2026 off the coast of Visakhapatnam on 18 February 2026, with participation
from 74 countries, marking a grand maritime spectacle that showcased global
naval cooperation, professional camaraderie and India's maritime capability.
IFR 2026 marked the third International Fleet Review hosted by India, following
earlier editions at Mumbai (2001) and Visakhapatnam (2016).
The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, and Supreme Commander of the
Armed Forces, reviewed the Fleet from INS Sumedha, an indigenously built
Offshore Patrol Vessel, which served as the Presidential Yacht for the
occasion. INS Sumedha was adorned with the Ashoka Emblem and flew the
President's Standard at the mast.
Following a Ceremonial Guard of Honour by a 150 person contingent and a 21 Gun
Salute, the President embarked onboard INS Sumedha and sailed past the
assembled Fleet of 52 anchored ships off the Visakhapatnam coast. A total of 85 ships, including 19 foreign
warships participated in the fleet review, reflecting the scale and diversity
of maritime participation. The Indian fleet included 60 ships of the Indian
Navy, four Indian Coast Guard vessels, and one ship each from the Shipping
Corporation of India and the National Institute of Ocean Technology.
The review also featured three Indian Navy submarines, one French
Atlantique maritime patrol aircraft, and participation by over 60 aircraft,
underscoring the multi-domain operational capability and the coordinated
maritime presence on display.
The President also reviewed the Indian Naval Air Arm, marked by a flypast
of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. This was followed by a mobile column of
warships and submarines steaming past the Presidential Yacht. The event further
featured maritime and waterfront demonstrations, including a Parade of sails,
Search and Rescue operations and aerial manoeuvres by Hawk aircraft.
Addressing the occasion, President highlighted, "The spirit of friendship on display today through participation
of so many friendly foreign countries highlights the truth that we are
collected rather than divided by the seas. India's approach to international
relations, including the maritime domain, is guided by our ethos of 'Vasudhaiv
Kutumbakam' or 'the world is one family'. This approach reflects the wisdom
that global security, growth, sustainability and stability are built through
friendship." She further remarked, "The review also takes forward India's vision of MAHASAGAR, which
stands for 'Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across
Regions'. The spirit of togetherness is well confirmed in this message of this
review- 'United through Oceans'. It is a positive message to the global
community that it is the collective naval strength that can overcome maritime
challenges".
The International Fleet Review 2026 reaffirmed India's commitment to
maritime cooperation, interoperability and collective security, in keeping with
the theme "United Through Oceans", while highlighting the Indian
Navy's indigenous capability, operational professionalism and enduring
partnerships with like minded navies.