The might of the Indian Navy was on full show at the recently held International Fleet Review 2016, as the event witnessed India's maritime partners. The Indian Navy's biggest event ever, the 11th Fleet Review and the 2nd International Fleet Review was held at Vishakhapatnam on the East Coast on February 6. Inaugurated by Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, he greatly appreciated the prowess of the Navy and urged the global participants to carry back a message of global peace and brotherhood. The last time an event of such a large scale was conducted in Mumbai in 2001 when international navies made their esteemed presence.
The Naval Fleet Review is a long-standing tradition of navies from all over the world, and is conceived as a show of naval might and readiness for battle. So far, 10 Reviews have been held in India, with the first in 1953. The IFR allows the host nation to display its maritime capabilities and establish mutual trust among fellow maritime nations. The IFR logo is remarkable depiction of the three operating dimensions of the navy: a ship, submarine and and aircraft, with the letter I F R across it. The Dolphin remains the mascot for the event as a symbol friendship across oceans.
President Mukherjee reviewed the international fleet consisting of 75 frontline ships and submarines, besides 24 ships which had sailed from different parts of the globe. Each ship was manned by the ship's company, dressed in white ceremonial uniforms. The fly-past that accompanied the presidential review comprised of 15 formations of 45 aircraft, including two formations from the Indian Coast Guard. A mobile column of warships and submarines steamed past the presidential yacht at the end of the review, flaunting the latest acquisitions of the Indian Navy. The Presidential yacht, INS Sumitra that displayed the Ashoka emblem, hosted the Prime Minister, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and the three Service Chiefs, along with Mukherjee as they reviewed the naval flotilla. President Mukherjee and PM Narendra Modi wore caps with ‘President’ and ‘Prime Minister’ embossed on them. The IFR saw engagement of a total of 50 Navies. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral RK Dhowan conducted his guests. The ships under review stood in six columns with sailors dressed in white ceremonial uniforms. Majestic aircraft carriers, INS Vikramaditya and INS Virat were anchored in the backdrop. Also present were warships INS Kolkata, Mysore, Ranvijay, and the latest addition INS Kadmat. All major navies included those from the US, Russia, China, France, and the UK.
Naval Air Arm’s fixed and rotary wing aircraft took part in the 71 aircraft fly-past. The Swedish Skycats aircraft display team performed wing walking aerobatics. On display were three kilo-class submarines; INS Sindhuvir, Sindhukriti and Sundhuraj. The foreign ships included United States' USS Antietam, a guided missile corvette, HMS Defender of UK, JS Matsuyuki of Japan, IRIS Alvand of Iran, BNS Somudra Joy from Bangladesh, Liuzhou from China, and HMAS Darwin from Australia.
Addressing the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “I believe that if oceans were to proper our economies, then we must use seas to build peace, friendship and trust, and curb conflict, respect and ensure freedom of navigation; and cooperate, not compete in responding to the challenges in the seas. The large presence of foreign navies at this Fleet Review is a confirmation of our shared urge to walk the pathways of peace and cooperation to keep the maritime domain safe and secure. The oceans and worlds' waterways are global commons. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - the concept of the whole world as a family, is perhaps most vividly witnessed on the oceans of the planet, that connect us all.” Modi also announced that India would host the first ever Global Maritime Summit in April this year. “To build on the gains from today's gathering, India would host the first ever Global Maritime Summit in April this year. Its priority would be to scale up and strengthen the vibrant trade, investment, technology and commercial linkages between India and other maritime nations.”
He also released a photo essay book on the 'Maritime Heritage of India'.
After inspecting the parade, the President in his speech at the banquet hosted in his honour by Chief RK Dhowan, said, “While showcasing the prowess of the Indian Navy, IFR 2016 has brought together navies from across the globe here on Indian shores, signifying our common desire to use the seas to promote peace, cooperation and friendship, as also to develop partnerships for a secure maritime future.” He said, “Navies world over have conducted fleet reviews to symbolise their loyalty, allegiance to the nation and strengthening bonds between the sailors and the State. IFR 2016 does that much and much more.”
“The emerging maritime security challenges, across the oceans of the world, have magnified the responsibilities of navies. The seemingly vast stretches of water are our common economic development highways connecting distant lands with bonds of friendship. In order to preserve and secure our shared global highways, and to maintain good order at sea, India, and in particular the Indian Navy, has always pro-actively engaged like-minded maritime nations,” he said. The President also said that the presence of warships, personnel and delegations at the International Fleet Review aptly reflects and carries forward “our endeavour to highlight that we are 'United through Oceans'”.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu arrived on February 5 and laid a wreath at the Victory-at-Sea memorial on Vizag beach, paying homage to all the martyrs. A two-minute silence was observed on the occasion as a mark of respect. He also inaugurated the IFR village and the maritime exhibition organised by the Navy on the grounds of the Andhra University Engineering College. Naidu said Vishakhapatnam was the eastern gateway to the country. “Andhra Pradesh is centrally located on East Coast and it plays an important role in economic growth of the country. The state is at the forefront of Prime Minister's 'Make In India' concept,” he said.
The entire affair concluded on the 8th with the a Joint International Band Concert at the Naval Officers' Institute. Naval Bands from participating Navies, along with the host Navy jointly presented in front of Admiral RK Dhowan, Chief Guest for the event. The Joint Band Concert was in perfect harmony as all the navies together echoed the very theme of “Bridging through Ocean”.
