Indian Navy To Line Up Most Potent Warships For President’s Fleet Review
This is an occasion which comes but once during the tenure of every President, and few ceremonies can match its majesty. The 12th President’s Fleet Review will be done by President Ram Nath Kovind at Visakhapatnam on February 21.
The Indian Navy’s most potent warships and submarines will be lined up before the President, who is constitutionally the Supreme Commander of India’s armed forces in a powerful show of military allegiance to ‘King and Country’.
President Kovind’s review of the naval fleet involves 60 ships and submarines and 55 aircraft. This 12th Fleet Review has added significance as it’s being conducted in the 75th year of India's Independence, which is being celebrated as 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' across the Nation.
The President will sail in a special yacht to review rows of ships lined up at anchorage along the Visakhapatnam coastline. The Presidential yacht is an indigenously built Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel, INS Sumitra. The yacht will be distinguished by the Ashoka Emblem on her side and will fly the President’s Standard on the Mast.
After a Ceremonial Guard of Honour and a 21-Gun Salute, the President will embark the yacht INS Sumitra for the review of 44 ships from the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard. Ships from the Shipping Corporation of India and the Ministry of Earth Sciences will also be lined up for review.
“In this most formal of naval ceremonials, each ship dressed in full regalia will salute the President as he passes. The President will also be reviewing the Indian Naval Air Arm in a display of spectacular fly-past by several helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. In the final stage of the review, a mobile column of warships and submarines will steam past the Presidential Yacht,” the Indian Navy stated ahead of the ceremony.
The latest acquisitions of the Indian Navy will be showcased. There will also be a demonstration of several enthralling waterfront activities, including Parade of Sails, Search and Rescue at Sea, Aerobatics by Hawk aircraft and Water Para Jumps by the elite Marine Commandos (MARCOS).
The Review will be 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 and Minister of State for Communication Devusinh J Chauhan.
The ships at anchorage will be ceremonially dressed in full regalia with naval flags. These would be illuminated from sunset to midnight on February 19 and 20.
