President and Supreme Commander of the armed forces of India, Ram Nath Kovind reviewed the Indian Navy Fleet at Visakhapatnam on February 21, 2022. The Presidential Fleet Review is carried out once during the tenure of the President. With the theme ‘75 years in Service of the Nation,’ Indian Navy showcased its latest state-of-the-art indigenously built combat platforms, which was also conducted as part of the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence being celebrated as ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’.

After a 21-Gun Salute and Ceremonial Guard of Honour, the President embarked on the Presidential yacht, INS Sumitra, an indigenously built Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel. The President was received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and CNS Admiral R. Hari Kumar. The Yacht sailed past 44 ships from the Navy, Coast Guard, Shipping Corporation of India and Ministry of Earth Sciences, lined up in four columns at anchorage off Visakhapatnam, exhibiting the nation’s maritime power in full display. A spectacular flypast was conducted as a part of the static review of the Fleet. During the final stage of the review, a column of warships and submarines carried out highspeed steam past alongside the Presidential yacht. Several dynamic waterfront activities by Parade of Sails, Search and Rescue Demonstration at Sea, Aerobatics by Hawk aircraft and Water Para Jumps by the elite Marine Commandos were also demonstrated.

As the Presidential yacht passed between the review columns, each ship dressed in full regalia, manned by her ship’s company saluted the President with traditional “Three Jais” (victory) in a demonstration of the unconditional allegiance to the country and the Supreme Commander.

The President also witnessed demonstration of a flypast by 55 aircraft including Chetaks, ALH, Sea Kings, Kamovs, Dorniers, IL-38SD, P-8I, Hawks and MiG-29K.

Addressing the Fleet during the Review, the President said that the Indian Navy’s constant vigil, prompt response to incidents and untiring efforts have been highly successful in ensuring safety of the seas and of the maritime commons which are critical to our trade and energy needs. The President expressed his happiness on the Indian Navy becoming increasingly self-reliant and being at the forefront of the ‘Make in India’ initiative. He noted that about 70 per cent of the contents of several warships and submarines under construction in various public and private shipyards across the country are indigenous. The Review was followed by the release of a special First Day Cover and a commemorative stamp by the President in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.