Navy conducts International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026

• The Indian Navy successfully conducted the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026 off the coast of Visakhapatnam on February 18.

• President Droupadi Murmu, the 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. 

• 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 IFR is being hosted by the Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam from February 15 to 25, marking India’s first time hosting it alongside ‘Exercise Milan’ and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs.

What is International Fleet Review?

• The International Fleet Review is a ceremonial assembly of international naval delegations, ships, submarines and aircraft, during which the President, as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, reviews the fleet. 

• The event showcases maritime strength, cooperation and camaraderie whilst reaffirming sovereign oversight. 

• India has previously hosted IFRs in 2001 at Mumbai and in 2016 at Visakhapatnam.

• The event is termed as International Fleet Review when there is participation by ships from friendly foreign countries. 

• If only Indian vessels participate then, it is termed as Presidential Fleet Review (PFR).

• As many as 12 editions of PFR have been conducted so far with the last one being held at Visakhapatnam in 2022.

History of President’s Fleet Review

• Historically, a fleet review is an assembly of ships at a pre-designated place for the purpose of paying respects to the sovereign of a nation and to display their commitment to him/her. In turn, the sovereign by reviewing the ships reaffirms his faith in the fleet and its ability to defend the nation’s maritime interests.

• The earliest recorded Indian Fleet Review was in the 18th century by the powerful Maratha Fleet consisting of ‘Ghurabs’ and ‘Gallivats’ under the renowned Sarkhel (Grand Admiral) Kanhoji Angre at the coastal fortress of Ratnagiri. 

• In Britain, a Fleet Review was a precursor to setting sail for war or was conducted  on special occasions like the coronation of a new monarch. 

• In the US, the ‘Great White Fleet’ meant to project American power overseas, was reviewed by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1907, prior to departure, and once again in 1909, on its return to the country.

• The President of India, as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, reviews the fleet once during the five-year tenure.

• The first PFR was conducted in 1953 under Dr Rajendra Prasad. In 1964, the second edition of PFR was conducted by Defence Minister Y.B. Chavan.

• Over the years, the PFR has seen participation of ships, submarines and aircrafts to emphasise the three-dimensional nature of the Indian Navy. 

• In India, the assemblage of warships for a review has taken on a more celebratory tone, free of belligerent intentions.