What is ‘Presidential Fleet Review’?

February 22, 2022

On February 21, President Ram Nath Kovind conducted a Fleet Review of Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam.

Highlights

  • President Kovind is in Visakhapatnam for a three-day visit to Eastern Naval Command.
  • Visakhapatnam is hosting the Fleet Review for the second time.
  • First Fleet Review was hosted in 2006 by the then President of India APJ Abdul Kalam.
  • The Fleet Review is done with the aim of assuring the country of preparedness, high morale and discipline of Indian Navy.
  • This year marked the twelfth Fleet Review.
  • It is being conducted on the occasion of 75th anniversary of India’s Independence.

Why President of India review Indian Naval Fleet?

Every President of India reviews the Indian Naval Fleet, once during their office term, because he is the Supreme Commander of Indian armed forces.

About Presidential Fleet Review

Being the Supreme Commander of Indian armed forces, the President of India takes stock of capabilities of Navy in the Fleet Review. The President embarks on a yacht, called the Presidential Yacht and review the Indian Naval Fleet. In the year 2022, the yacht comprised of more than 60 ships and submarines, and 55 aircraft. It will be distinguished by Ashoka Emblem on her side. It will fly the President’s Standard on the Mast. This year, ships from all naval commands and Andaman & Nicobar Command were docked on one of the naval ports for the Review in Visakhapatnam. As part of this exercise, Presidential Yacht sailed past the columns of ships anchored in lanes, and they were accorded the ceremonial salute. The President was also given a 21-gun salute during the review.

Naval vessels in 2022 review

As per Defence Ministry, the participating platforms in Fleet Review included:

  1. Newly inducted combat platforms,
  2. Latest stealth destroyer INS Visakhapatnam and
  3. INS Vela, which is a Kalvari class submarine commissioned into Indian Navy recently.
  4. Three Shivalik class frigates
  5. Three Kamorta class ASW Corvettes
  6. Ships from the Coast Guard, Ministry of Earth Sciences and Shipping Corporation of India.

Background

So far, 11 Fleet Reviews have been organized. First fleet was conducted in 1953, under President Rajendra Prasad. Of all, two reviews in 2001 and 2016 were international, in which vessels from other countries also took part.

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