For a few days this February, the “City of Destiny” (Visakhapatnam) isn’t just a catchy nickname—it’s the epicenter of world maritime activity. The International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026 has turned the coast into a stage for naval power, tradition, and global cooperation. For the first time, the Indian Navy is pulling off a hat trick: the IFR, the MILAN 2026 multilateral exercise, and the IONS Conclave of Chiefs are all running at once, drawing over 70 countries to the city.
Presidential Review at Sea
Early on February 18, President Droupadi Murmu, who leads India’s armed forces, stepped aboard the INS Sumedha. This Indian-built Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel led the column as her official yacht. Out at sea, she reviewed a stunning array—nearly 70 warships in formation off the Vizag coast. The lineup mixed 45 Indian ships with 19 foreign vessels. There’s real variety here: Russia’s RFS Marshal Shaposhnikov, HMAS Warramunga from Australia, and Japan’s JS Yuudachi, to name a few.
But the showstopper was INS Vikrant. India’s own aircraft carrier, fresh from its key role in Operation Sindoor, stole the spotlight. Its presence signaled a new era for India—a “Builder’s Navy,” not just a buyer.
A Festival beyond the Fleet
Of course, it’s not all drills and formation sailing. Onshore, Vizag has broken into celebration mode. The MILAN Village, opened at the Eastern Naval Command, gives visiting delegates a taste of India’s heart: folk dances, colorful handloom stalls, and local cuisine fill the space. And then there’s the International City Parade on February 19. RK Beach Road will see 45 marching contingents and eight foreign naval bands—all capped off with a massive drone and laser show over the Bay of Bengal. The city feels alive, buzzing with energy.
Strategic Undertones
This isn’t just pageantry. The 2026 edition carries real diplomatic weight. China and Turkey didn’t get invitations, a clear response to their positions during recent regional disputes. Vice-Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, who heads the Eastern Naval Command, calls this gathering a big leap for the MAHASAGAR vision—India’s push to become the Indo-Pacific’s “Preferred Security Partner.”
“No single navy can secure the seas on its own,” says Captain S. Venkatesh Kumar of the Indian Navy. “IFR 2026 shows how much we need to work together—shared procedures, collective action.”
