India is gearing up for a significant naval spectacle, International Fleet Review (IFR)-2026, and hosting 70 countries, including Russia, Iran and the US, for the maritime exercise ‘Milan-2026’.It will host the IFR-2026 at Visakhapatnam on February 18. A day later, the week-long exercise will commence at the same venue.At the International Fleet Review-2026, INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenously-built aircraft carrier, will be the centre of attraction.The IFR is a prestigious naval ceremony, in which warships, submarines and aircraft from friendly nations assemble at sea to showcase their capabilities and foster maritime cooperation. This year, President Droupadi Murmu would review the fleet as India will host its third International Fleet Review, the earlier ones being in 2001 and 2016.Exercise Milan-2026 would be one of the largest Maritime exercise in the region. Week-long drills will be conducted from February 19 to 26. A harbour phase on February 19 and 20, followed by a highly complex operational Sea Phase from February 21 to 25 in the Bay of Bengal. The sea phase in Bay of Bengal will have anti-submarine drills, air operations and complex and dynamic sea operations.Notably, the US and Russia will participate together in the multi-lateral forum. Japan and Australia, both partners in the Quad with India and US, would also be a part of it.Besides the exercise Millan and the IFR, the city will also host the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) a Conclave of Chiefs, scheduled to be conducted from February 15 to 25. The IONS Conclave of Chiefs, during which the Indian Navy would assume chairmanship (2025-2027), will bring together Naval Chiefs from 25 members, 9 observers, and specially invited nations to deliberate on maritime security, HADR, and information sharing.An International Maritime Seminar will gather maritime strategists, defence officials, academics and industry leaders to discuss contemporary issues, including maritime collaboration, technology and humanitarian support.