The President’s Fleet Review (PFR) is an impressive ceremony where the maritime might of the nation is displayed in all its splendour and glory. Every participating warship is made ready to display itself and its crew in a spirit of loyalty and allegiance to the Sovereign and the State. Naval Fleet Review is a long-standing tradition observed by many navies of the world. The first recorded review of the warships took place in the year 1415, when Henry V, the King of Britain, inspected his fleet prior to war with France. In this inherited tradition, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces reviews the Indian Fleet once during his or her tenure in office. In all, nine fleet reviews have taken place till date including an International Fleet Review in 2001 at Mumbai. The fleet reviews began in 1953 during the tenure of India’s first President Rajendra Prasad when he was saluted by the crew of 25 warships, seven yard craft and one merchant vessel. During the recent PFR on December 20, 2011, there were 81 warships including the country’s only aircraft carrier INS Viraat. In addition, there was a fly past displaying the naval air might of the Navy. Only three Indian Presidents, Zakir Husain, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy and Shankar Dayal Sharma, did not get to review the Indian Navy’s fleet during their tenures. In 1956 and 1964, the reviews were carried out by the Shah of Iran and by the then Defence Minister Y.B. Chavan, respectively.

The President of India, Pratibha Devisingh Patil was the ninth President to be accorded the honour. It was a unique occasion as it was the first time a lady Supreme Commander carried out the review. The President has also flown in a Sukhoi Su-30, boarded a submarine and recently went on a ride on a tank while witnessing an Army exercise in the desert. On December 19, to honour the President on her birthday, the naval orchestra also played a special symphony. The last President’s Fleet Review was in 2006 by President Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam at Visakhapatnam. The Presidential Column which includes presidential yacht and other VIP vessels were escorted by two extra fast attack crafts.

The Presidential Yacht, INS Subhadra, a Sukanya class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) was commanded by Commander Viresh Das. INS Subhadra has been the test bed for the launch of the Dhanush ship-launched ballistic missile. Apart from the President, Defence Minister A.K. Antony, Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallam Raju, Defence Secretary Shashi Kant Sharma, Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Nirmal Verma were also present. Chief of Army Staff General V.K. Singh and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Norman Browne were special invitees. There were many more dignitaries from the serving fraternity and veterans too.

After inspecting the Guard of Honour and receiving a 21-gun salute, the President embarked the Presidential Yacht, distinguished by an Ashoka emblem on its side, and reviewed the anchored ships and submarines by steaming past them. As the President passed by, the crew of participating ships and submarines manned the side in white uniform. White caps are doffed in unison in salutation as the Presidential Yacht steams past. The sound of three ‘Jais’ echoed over the waves, carrying the promises of allegiance and commitment of each and every crew member to the President and the nation. For the first time in the history of the PFR, a warship-carrying an Indian Army officer participated. INS Kesari saluted the President with Lt General Naresh Marwah, Commander-in-Chief of the tri-service Andaman and Nicobar Command. This is the bond that carries them through various challenges in war and peace. This was followed by a fly past of Naval and Coast Guard aircraft.

All three dimensions of the Indian Navy, ships of the Indian Coast Guard and the Shipping Corporation of India were on parade. In addition to ships and submarines at the review anchorage, ships of 22nd missile vessel and 23rd patrol vessel squadron steamed past the Presidential Yacht, including a fly past by 44 aircraft (of different types) of the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard. The fly-past was led by the newly inducted MiG-29K fighters and followed by helicopters and surveillance aircraft of the Navy and Coast Guard.