Indian Navy to Host Three Major Global Maritime Events in Visakhapatnam in February 2026

The Indian Navy is set to host three of its biggest international maritime events simultaneously in Visakhapatnam in February 2026, marking a historic first for India’s naval diplomacy. The coastal city, home to the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), will be the venue for the International Fleet Review (IFR-2026), Exercise MILAN, and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs.

According to naval officials, the events will be held between 15 and 25 February 2026, showcasing India’s growing maritime strength and its commitment to fostering regional cooperation under the government’s MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision.

The International Fleet Review will bring together naval contingents from over 50 countries, featuring warships, aircraft, and submarines from across the globe. The fleet review, to be presided over by the President of India, will highlight the Indian Navy’s indigenous shipbuilding capability and its status as a “Builder’s Navy.”

Parallelly, Exercise MILAN 2026, one of India’s largest multilateral naval exercises, will focus on enhancing interoperability, maritime domain awareness, and joint operational readiness among friendly navies. The exercise will include both harbour and sea phases featuring advanced surface and air manoeuvres, anti-submarine warfare, and search-and-rescue drills.

The IONS Conclave of Chiefs, a key diplomatic platform of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, will also be conducted in the same period. The conclave will bring together naval chiefs and senior maritime leaders from the Indian Ocean region to discuss maritime security, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and information-sharing mechanisms.

Hosting these three global events concurrently underlines India’s expanding role in shaping the maritime security framework of the Indo-Pacific. Officials said extensive coordination is underway between the Indian Navy, the Andhra Pradesh government, and other stakeholders to ensure smooth logistics, security, and infrastructure readiness.

Visakhapatnam’s strategic location and robust naval infrastructure make it an ideal venue for such large-scale international engagements. Beyond strengthening defence diplomacy, the events are expected to significantly boost the local economy through increased tourism, hospitality, and port-related activities.

Defence analysts say the 2026 gatherings will demonstrate India’s capacity to host multi-nation maritime operations while reinforcing its image as a responsible and capable maritime power. With participation from navies across continents, Visakhapatnam is set to become the focal point of global maritime attention next year.