IFR & MILAN-2026: Global warships make port calls off Vizag

Visakhapatnam: In a striking display of naval cooperation, warships from diverse nations—built in different shipyards and flying different flags—made port calls in Visakhapatnam over the past few days for the International Fleet Review (IFR-2026) and Multilateral Naval Exercise (MILAN-2026). Both events are being conducted under the aegis of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) from February 15 to 25 in Visakhapatnam and the Bay of Bengal. The visiting ships were welcomed by the Indian Navy with time-honoured naval traditions.Vice-Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, ENC, said 71 ships, including India's indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and 19 foreign warships, will take part in the IFR, which will be reviewed by President Droupadi Murmu off the Visakhapatnam coast on February 18.
Russia is fielding the upgraded Udaloy-class destroyer RFS Marshal Shaposhnikov, while Australia has deployed the Anzac-class frigate HMAS Warramunga. Japan is contributing the Murasame-class destroyer JS Yuudachi, and Iran has sent the Moudge-class destroyer IRINS Dena.India's INS Vikrant, which led the Carrier Battle Group during Operation Sindoor and compelled Pakistani warships to remain in harbour, is set to be the star attraction at both IFR and MILAN 2026. The carrier will be accompanied by its MiG-29K fighters, while frontline platforms including Visakhapatnam-class destroyers, Nilgiri-class stealth frigates, and Arnala-class anti-submarine corvettes will also participate. Exercise MILAN will additionally feature the P-8I maritime patrol aircraft.The USS Pinckney was earlier scheduled to participate in the International Fleet Review this year. However, due to emergent requirements, the vessel will not be able to join the event. Other US participation remains unchanged. "The United States values our continuing partnership with India and looks forward to a successful event," a spokesperson for the US consulate said in a statement.RFS Marshal Shaposhnikov (Russia) The vessel serves in the Russian Pacific Fleet. Her namesake is Marshal Boris Shaposhnikov Length: 163 m (535 ft) Beam: 19.3 m (63 ft)Draught: 7.8 m (26 ft) Speed: 35 knots (65 km/h; 40 mph) Range: 10,500 nautical miles (19,400 km) at 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph) HMAS Warramunga (Australia) It's an Anzac-class frigate, commissioned in 2001. During her career, the frigate has operated in the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Catalyst, and undertaken anti-piracy operations off Somalia Length: 118 m (387 ft) Beam: 15 m (49 ft) Draught: 4 m (13 ft) Speed: 27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph) Range: 6,000 nautical miles (11,000 km; 6,900 mi) at 18 knots (33 km/h or 21 mph) Complementa: 170 sailors JS Yuudachi (JAPAN) The destroyer built under the First Defence build-up plan, including the former Murasame class, adopted a unique long forecastle style called "Oranda-zaka"Length: 151 m (495 ft 5 in) Beam: 17.4 m (57 ft 1 in) Draft: 5.2 m (17 ft 1 in) Speed: 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph) Complement: 165 IRINS Dena (Iran) IRINS Dena is a Moudge-class frigate in the Southern Fleet of Iranian Navy, named after Mount DenaDisplacement: 1,500 tonnes Length: 95 m (311 ft 8 in) Beam:11.1 m (36 ft 5 in) estimated Draught: 3.25 m (10 ft 8 in) estimated Speed: 30 kn (56 km/h; 35 mph) Complement: 140