Visakhapatnam is set to become the centre of global maritime attention as the Indian Navy hosts the International Fleet Review (IFR) and Exercise MILAN 2026 from February 15 to 25. The twin events will bring together naval forces from across the world, underscoring India’s growing strategic role in the Indo-Pacific region.

According to naval sources, participation will include representatives from 72 countries, with more than 60 warships and naval aircraft expected to take part. Major powers such as the United States and Russia will be present, alongside several first-time participants including Germany, the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates.

The high-profile gathering will project India’s eastern seaboard as a hub for maritime diplomacy and multilateral cooperation.

INS Vikrant To Take Centre Stage

India’s indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant is expected to be the star attraction of the fleet review. The carrier played a significant role in Operation Sindoor in the Arabian Sea and will now sail to the Bay of Bengal for the event.

President Droupadi Murmu will attend the fleet review on February 18, along with Andhra Pradesh Governor S Abdul Nazeer and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to participate in the MILAN exercise on February 19.

Notably, China and Turkey have not been invited, reportedly due to their military support to Pakistan during last year’s conflict.

MILAN 2026 To Focus On Naval Cooperation

Exercise MILAN will feature both harbour and sea phases designed to enhance interoperability among friendly navies. Activities will include anti-submarine warfare drills, air defence exercises, maritime domain awareness operations and search-and-rescue missions.

The exercise aims to strengthen professional ties, share operational best practices and build trust among participating countries. It also reflects India’s ambition to act as a security provider in the region.

Warships such as the Philippines’ BRP Miguel Malvar and a UAE Navy vessel will make their debut appearances, signalling expanding defence partnerships.

Platform For Strategy And Diplomacy

The fleet review coincides with the conclave of chiefs of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, further elevating its strategic importance. Alongside naval operations at sea, events such as an international city parade and a high-level maritime seminar will highlight cooperation beyond the military domain.

Technology will play a prominent role, with demonstrations involving drones, autonomous vessels and AI-enabled maritime surveillance systems. These capabilities are increasingly central to modern naval operations.

International Fleet Reviews are a long-standing naval tradition, serving as platforms for confidence-building and showcasing maritime strength. For India, the 2026 edition represents both a display of naval capability and a signal of its intent to shape the security architecture of the Indo-Pacific.

As ships assemble off the coast of Visakhapatnam, the event is expected to reinforce India’s position as a key maritime power and a convening force in a strategically contested region.

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