President reviews might of the Indian navy

Visakhapatnam: Indian navy displayed its all out prowess off the coast of Visakhapatnam on Saturday with President Pranab Mukherjee reviewing the might of fleet.

The review was a ceremonial and stately inspection of naval warships by the president of India who is also the supreme commander of the armed forces, the president of India.

President Pranab Mukherjee, on board the presidential yacht INS Sumitra, inspected the fleet of 71 Indian naval ships.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and three other service chiefs also accompanied the president.

The fleet review has 71 of Indian Navy's ships lined up, including both aircraft carriers, INS Vikramaditya and INS Virat.

However, INS Virat will be retiring soon.

Around 50 navies and 24 foreign ships are participating in the International Fleet Review, the second to be held by India and largest military exercise hosted by the country so far.

The last IFR was held in Mumbai in 2001 which was presided by the late APJ Abdul Kalam. Twenty-nine countries had participated in the event.(IANS)