India to host International Fleet Review, MILAN and IONS Conclave together at Visakhapatnam in February 2026
The Defence Ministry announced on 31 October 2025 that India will host the International Fleet Review 2026, Exercise MILAN 2026 and the IONS Conclave of Chiefs together at Visakhapatnam from 15 to 25 February 2026.
Summary
The Ministry of Defence announced on 31 October 2025 that the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026, Exercise MILAN 2026 and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs will be held at Visakhapatnam from 15 to 25 February 2026. This will be the first time India holds all three events together. At the IONS Conclave the Indian Navy will take over the chair for the second time, for 2025-2027; IONS has 25 members and 9 observers. India's IFR tradition began with the 2001 Mumbai edition, which hosted 20 foreign navies, and the 2016 IFR was also held at Visakhapatnam. Exercise MILAN began in 1995 at Port Blair with four navies.
Key facts
- Dates/place
- 15-25 Feb 2026, Visakhapatnam
- Events
- IFR 2026, MILAN 2026, IONS Conclave of Chiefs
- First
- First time India holds all three together
- IONS chair
- Indian Navy, second time (2025-27); 25 members, 9 observers
- First IFR
- 2001, Mumbai, 20 foreign navies
- MILAN began
- 1995, Port Blair, four navies
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Which city will host the International Fleet Review 2026, Exercise MILAN 2026 and the IONS Conclave of Chiefs in February 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Visakhapatnam
All three events are scheduled at Visakhapatnam, home of the Eastern Naval Command, from 15 to 25 February 2026.
Consider the following statements: 1. Exercise MILAN was launched in 1995 at Port Blair with four navies. 2. At the 2026 IONS Conclave, the Indian Navy will assume the IONS chairmanship for the second time. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: MILAN began in 1995 with four navies at Port Blair, and the Indian Navy will chair IONS for the second time (2025-2027).
India's International Fleet Review tradition began with which edition?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 2001, Mumbai
The Defence Ministry noted that India's IFR tradition began with the 2001 Mumbai edition, which hosted 20 foreign navies.