HIGHLIGHTS:
- At Presidential fleet review at Vishakhapatnam, President Kovind will inspect Ships of Indian Navy
- This Naval Fleet, includes over 60 ships and submarines as well as 55 aircraft
- The President’s Yacht this year is an indigenously built Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel, INS Sumitra
The Naval Fleet, which includes over 60 ships and submarines as well as 55 aircraft, was reviewed by President Ram Nath Kovind, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
This will be the twelfth Fleet Review, and it will be particularly significant because it will take place on the 75th anniversary of India’s independence, which is being commemorated as ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ across the country.
What is the President’s Fleet Review, and why is it important?
President’s Fleet Review is the country’s President assessing the Navy’s capabilities. It displays the Navy’s whole fleet of ships and capabilities. Every President, as the supreme commander of the armed forces, conducts it once.
The President is escorted aboard one of the Navy’s ships, the President’s Yacht, to view all of the ships docked at one of the naval ports. The President’s Yacht this year, according to the Navy, “is an indigenously built Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel, INS Sumitra, which will lead the Presidential Column.” The Ashoka Emblem will be on the yacht’s side, and the President’s Standard will be flown on the mast.”
12th Presidential Fleet Review
According to the Navy, a fleet review is normally done once during the President’s term. Since Independence, 11 Presidential Fleet Reviews have been held, two of which were international fleet reviews in 2001 and 2016. “The Navy’s Presidential review is second only to the Republic Day Parade in terms of prominence.
After a 21-gun salute and a ceremonial guard of honour, the President boarded the Presidential Yacht INS Sumitra, which would sail through 44 ships anchored off the coast of Visakhapatnam.
Do all naval ships take part in the Fleet Review?
If you are thinking that all the Navy’s ships participate in this Fleet Review, than let us tell you the answer is, No. Here the goal is to show off not all of the Navy’s ships, but each type of ship and the capabilities it possesses at the time.
At fleet review at Vishakhapatnam, President Kovind will inspect more than 60 Navy and Coast Guard ships and submarines, as well as 55 aircraft. His boat will sail by 44 ships anchored off the coast of Visakhapatnam, including ships from the Indian Navy, the Coast Guard, and the Shipping Corporation of India, as well as vessels from the Ministry of Earth Sciences. Merchant ships are also included in the review.
What is the importance of this?
It is one of the Navy’s most important occasions, since it is effectively demonstrating its allegiance and dedication to the country’s defence. It’s a long-standing practice observed by navies around the world, and Navy officials say it’s a strong relationship that binds world sailors.
“Historically, a Fleet Review is a gathering of ships at a pre-determined location to demonstrate loyalty and allegiance to the Sovereign and the state.” In turn, The Sovereign, reinforces his faith in the fleet and its ability to defend the nation’s maritime interests by evaluating the ships,” a senior Navy official said.
