President Droupadi Murmu, the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, is scheduled to arrive in Visakhapatnam today for a prestigious two-day visit. She is expected to land at the INS Dega naval air station at 4:40 PM, where she will be formally received by Governor Justice Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan. Following her arrival, the President will attend a high-profile dinner hosted by the Navy to interact with top military officials and dignitaries.
The centerpiece of this visit is the International Fleet Review (IFR) scheduled for February 18, 2026. This mega maritime event features a massive assembly of over 70 warships and submarines, along with 50 aircraft from approximately 50 different nations. A major highlight will be the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. President Murmu will board the Presidential Yacht, INS Sumedha, to review the naval strength of the participating countries as the vessels align in six impressive columns across the sea.
In coordination with the MILAN-2026 multilateral naval exercises, Visakhapatnam has been transformed into a high-security zone with over 5,000 police personnel deployed to manage the festivities. The city is currently illuminated and bustling with international representatives ahead of the “International City Parade” set for February 19 at RK Beach. This visit serves as a significant platform to showcase India’s growing maritime prowess and to strengthen strategic defense ties with global allies.
