Visakhapatnam to Host Historic Naval Convergence: International Fleet Review, MILAN 2026, and IONS Conclave
Visakhapatnam is poised to become a global hub for maritime diplomacy on February 19, 2026, as India orchestrates a notable gathering of three major naval events. The International Fleet Review (IFR), Exercise MILAN 2026, and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs will all take place during this period.
According to information from the Indian Navy, these three events are scheduled from February 15 to 25. This occasion marks the first time India has combined the Fleet Review, a significant multilateral naval exercise, and a strategic meeting of naval chiefs at one venue.
International Fleet Review Returns to Visakhapatnam
The International Fleet Review, the most ceremonial of the events, is set for February 19 and will be overseen by the President of India, serving as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. This review will showcase a formal at-sea display of warships, submarines, and aircraft from global navies.
India has previously hosted the Fleet Review in Mumbai in 2001 and Visakhapatnam in 2016. The 2026 event returns to the eastern coast amid a significantly evolved and increasingly indigenous Indian Navy.
The fleet will prominently feature Indian-designed and built platforms, led by the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. Included in the parade are Visakhapatnam-class destroyers, Nilgiri-class stealth frigates, and Arnala-class anti-submarine warfare corvettes, highlighting the Navy’s growing self-reliance and combat capabilities.
City Parade to Take Naval Celebrations to the Public
Apart from the presidential review, Visakhapatnam will host an International City Parade on the evening of February 19, from 4 pm to 7 pm, bringing celebrations to the public. The parade will start with an aerial display by Indian naval aircraft and helicopters, followed by marching contingents and military bands from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard.
Foreign naval contingents will join with their ceremonial units and bands, emphasizing multinational cooperation and interoperability. Youth groups from the National Cadet Corps, Sea Cadet Corps, and students of Navy Children School will also participate, symbolizing future leadership.
Cultural performances and tableaux showcasing Andhra Pradesh’s regional heritage and India’s maritime legacy will add a civilian and historical perspective to the event. The festivities will culminate in an offshore display featuring illuminated ships, fireworks, laser shows, and coordinated drone formations.
MILAN 2026 and IONS Conclave Add Strategic Depth
Running concurrently with the Fleet Review, Exercise MILAN 2026 will gather multiple navies for complex operational engagements, emphasizing maritime security, interoperability, joint maneuvers, and regional challenges.
On a strategic level, the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium Conclave of Chiefs will offer a platform for senior naval officials to discuss topics such as navigation freedom, humanitarian assistance, piracy, climate impacts on maritime security, unmanned systems, and hybrid threats. More than 50 nations are expected to participate in these events, highlighting extensive international involvement.
Visakhapatnam’s Strategic Significance
Visakhapatnam’s selection as the host city underscores its crucial role in India’s maritime strategy. Home to the Eastern Naval Command, the city is equipped with extensive naval infrastructure, deep-water berthing, operational flexibility, and logistical capacity to accommodate large international fleets.
The 2026 naval gathering builds on the success of the 2016 Fleet Review, showcasing the Indian Navy’s transformation into a technologically advanced, indigenous, and globally engaged force.
The combination of the Fleet Review, MILAN 2026, and the IONS Conclave signifies India’s commitment to shaping cooperative security frameworks in the Indo-Pacific, projecting credible maritime power, and strengthening partnerships through diplomacy, dialogue, and joint operations.
