Fleet reviews in which warships assemble without any belligerent intentions have taken place quite often and are not limited to any particular nation. Instances have been recorded where Heads of State have sailed across the oceans to participate in fleet reviews. The review in those days was conceived as flexing of naval muscle and an inspection of readiness for battle at sea. Soon, reviews were held whenever there was something worth celebrating such as coronations, victories at sea, jubilees, visits of royal guests etc.

The Indian Navy recently hosted an International Fleet Review in Mumbai. The first fleet review by India was hosted by Dr Rajendra Prasad on October 10, 1953. This time, warships from many nations around the world were invited to participate in the International Fleet Review (IFR) to build "Bridges of Friendship" across the seas bringing men-of-war together in a gesture of peace and goodwill. The theme of the review highlighted the belief that "The world is a family, the seas make it so". This mega event was conducted through a series of events in February, this year.

The sailboat depicted inside the IFR logo has a history. It had been taken from a coin of the Mohenjodaro period (3000 BC). This rendition of a sailboat has a high prow and stem. Its style resembled the pottery designs of Egypt, the seals of Minoan era and the cylinder design of Summer. This was a clear indication of the sea-borne trade between these regions at that time. The boat itself was an evidence of India’s maritime culture and its strong link to the present day `Blue Water Navy'.

A maritime exhibition called `Sea India' was held at Anushakti Bhavan near the Gateway of India. Dr P C Alexander, the Governor of Maharashtra, inaugurated the exhibition. On display was the India's maritime heritage from the Indus Valley civilisation to present time. The exhibition traced the maritime history of India's west coast depicting the development of India's formidable naval power and the intricate pattern of trade and commerce in different periods and dynasties. The exhibition also exhibited artefacts which represented the maritime face of the contemporary India. It gave an overview of the historical development of the Indian Navy, commercial shipping in India and maritime institutions. For a better understanding, visuals and experts were available on site.

The Indian Navy, as part of the International Fleet Review, organised an international seminar on "Maritime Power : Challenges in the 21st Century". Eminent speakers included Prof Geoffrey Till, Prof Thomas Barnett, Mr J N Dixit, Vice Admiral P S Das and Rear Admiral K Raja Menon. They discussed several of the maritime issues that are expected to shape the contours of the seas with a special emphasis on the Asian and the Asia-Pacific regional spectrum.

An international band concert was held at Dr Jamshed Bhabha Auditorium at the National Centre of Performing Arts. The chief guest was Dr P C Alexander, the Governor of Maharashtra. It was a rare event as it included an international medley performed by Indian and foreign naval bands.

Band performances were also conducted at public places. The bandstands of Cooperage, Hanging Gardens, Horniman Circle and Joggers Park at Bandra came alive to the music of the bands of the navies of India, Bangladesh, France, Russia, Sri Lanka and USA.

Mr K R Narayanan, the President of India reviewed the International Fleet. A total of 70 ships and submarine including representatives of foreign navies, Indian Navy and Coast Guard were anchored at the Gateway of India. The President inspected a 150-men guard of honour which was followed by a 21-gun salute. The Presidential Yacht, INS Sukanya, cast off and passed through seven columns of ships in the review anchorage.

The Presidential column consisted of a standby yacht INS Suvarna, an offshore patrol vessel INS Subhadra and a mine-sweeper INS Pondicherry. The review lasted for about two hours. All ships were dressed with ceremonial flags. Ships in the review column paid respect in the form of three jais to the President as the Presidential Yacht passed them. During the last leg of the review, a mobile column consisting of eight small ships of the Indian Navy steamed past the Presidential Yacht. The culmination of the review witnessed a grand flypast by 54 Indian Naval aircraft.

The Naval Band organised Beating the Retreat ceremony at the Gateway of India. A total of 70 naval ships from nineteen friendly foreign countries and India formed an impressive backdrop on the occasion. Mr K R Narayanan, the President of India was the chief guest on the historic occasion.

The bands of the navies of France, Russia, Sri Lanka and US participated in Beating the Retreat. An 84-strong Indian Naval Band performed various band manoeuvres. A new ‘quick march’ was composed by Cdr SA Anchees. It was titled "Fleet Review". The naval bands of Bangladesh, France, Russia, Sri Lanka and USA presented a series of manoeuvres while playing their own ‘marches’. All bands performed together to bring down the curtain on the grand event. Heart touching melodies like Fanfare, Entry March and Evening Hymn, Quick March, Retreat were also played. At sunset, all of the seventy ships at the review anchorage were illuminated simultaneously. A pyrotechnique display was also held.

An International City Parade was held at Marine Drive. Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, the Prime Minister of India was the chief guest on the occasion.

At the outset, the bay came alive with hundreds of sailing boats displaying colourful sails. The parade started with the flypast by Chetak helicopters which was followed by a marchpast by 30 contingents of the Navy, Army, Coast Guard, National Defence Academy, National Cadet Corps, Sea Cadet Corps and participating foreign navies. The parade commenced at the National Centre for Performing Arts and continued along the Marine Drive up to Chota Chowpatty Beach. A number of foreign and Indian bands participated in the parade. This was followed by a parade of tableaux from the coastal states of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala and floats from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bangalore and the Indian Navy. On the occasion, the Prime Minister released a commemorative stamp depicting maritime and sea-faring traditions of the country.

Microlite demonstration, Marine Commando demonstration and para-drop formed part of the water-borne activities. An impressive flypast by about 80 aircraft and helicopters belonging to the Indian Navy, Coast Guard and the Indian Air Force approached from sea towards Marine Drive. This was followed by a breath-taking aerobatic display by the Suryakirans and SU 30 aircraft of the Indian Air Force.

The air and water-borne displays were spread out across the entire stretch of the Bay at three different locations to give the spectators a close view of the activities.

As a humanitarian gesture, the foreign warships handed over relief supplies for quake victims of Gujarat. The foreign naval warships, prior to sailing out from their respective countries, had embarked relief supplies. The relief supplies were unloaded at Indira Dock from SAS Drakensberg (South Africa). RSN Endurance (Singapore) JDS Amagiri (Japan) ADM Panteleev and Vinogradov (Russia), FNS Dupleix (France) and USS Cowpens (USA) to be handed over to the representatives of the Indian Navy and Gujarat Earthquake Relief Cell.

The International Fleet Review was a grand success. The fleet review on the whole built more than one bridge of friendship.

text : Cdr R Madhusoodanan