International Fleet Review to be Inaugurated on Friday
Visakhapatnam, Feb 4 – The International Fleet Review hosted by Indian Navy to be inaugurated on February, 5 at Vizag.
According to the Navy officials, an opening ceremony is planned as a curtain raiser and to provide a ‘feel’ of both the rich cultural heritage, traditions and a contemporary India.
Performances by renowned artists stitched together by a common theme of ‘seas/ oceans’ will be presented to start the IFR in a festive and celebratory mood.
The President of India being the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, once in his or her term, reviews the Indian Naval (IN) Fleet as part of the ‘President’s Fleet Review’ (PFR). This review aims at assuring the country of the Indian Navy’s preparedness, high morale and discipline.
Many leading nations of the world use the opportunity provided by the Fleet Review to enhance mutual trust and confidence with their maritime neighbours and partners by inviting their ships to participate in the review. Normally called ‘International Fleet Review’ (IFR), this event then allows the host nation an occasion to display its maritime capabilities and the ‘bridges of friendship’ and trust it has built with other maritime nations.
The last IFR was conducted in January 2001, off Mumbai with participation from 29 countries. This earned the country widespread appreciation and goodwill.
The Indian Navy will be conducting an International Fleet Review from 4 to 8 February at Visakhapatnam. The IFR-16 is proposed to be done at a much larger scale than ever done before, the Navy officials said.
