India yesterday was giving an operational demonstration as a precursor to the upcoming President’s Fleet Review (PFR-11), some 50 kilometres northeast off Mumbai coast.

The 10th President’s Fleet Review is scheduled to be held in Mumbai on December 19-20 with the participation of 82 ships, submarines and 65 aircrafts. Historically, Fleet reviews were a precursor to setting sail for war, while other occasions included the coronation of a new monarch, but of late friendly nations send their warships to participate as a measure of reaffirming alliance.

According to the Indian navy website, indiannavy.nic, in this tradition inherited from the British Navy, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces reviews the Navy as if on Parade. Traditionally, the President of India reviews the Indian Fleet once during his tenure in office. There have, however, been two occasions when reviews were done by other personages – by the Shah of Iran in 1956 and by Defence Minister YB Chavan in 1964 on behalf of President Radhakrishnan who was indisposed.

For India the Presidential Review is an impressive ceremony, second only to the Republic Day Parade. Naval ships and ships from maritime organisations like the Coast Guard, the Merchant Navy, the National Institute of Oceanography, the Oil and Natural Gas Commission, Training Ship Rajendra and Naval Yardcraft are anchored precisely in neat lines and dressed overall.

The President embarks in a naval ship nominated as the Presidential Yacht which flies the President’s Colour. After receiving a 21-gun salute, the President reviews the Fleet by cruising past each line of ships. Each ship’s side is manned by her ships company in white ceremonial uniform. As the President passes by, each ships company, in unison, “take off” their caps in salutation and give three resounding “Jais”.

At sunset, all ships at the anchorage participate in a fireworks display. With the ships covering a wide expanse, the entire harbour appears to be aflame.

As darkness descends, all ships, in unison, switch on their garlands of lights which accentuate their silhouettes.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.