ENC to host Presidential Fleet Review and Milan at Vizag in early 2022

After hosting the International Fleet Review in February 2016, the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), headquartered in Vizag, will now host the Presidential Fleet Review along with MILAN-2022. The Presidential Fleet Review is a ceremonial and stately inspection of the naval warships by the President of India. MILAN is a biennial exercise that was started in 1995 and was being held at the Andaman and Nicobar islands until 2018. Originally, this exercise was supposed to take place in Vizag in 2020 but had to be postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, it will be conducted for the first time in mainland India in 2022, with increased scope and complexity.

On the occasion of the 75th Independence Day, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh addressed the platoons of naval personnel assembled at the ceremonial parade on Sunday. He announced that ENC would be hosting two major events at Visakhapatnam- the Presidential Fleet Review and MILAN 2022 in early 2022. He urged everyone to prepare earnestly for these mega-events to further enhance the prestige of the Indian Navy and our nation. He also mentioned that the State Government assured its full support to ENC for conducting these prestigious events in Vizag.

On Sunday, Independence Day was celebrated with all honour and pride at the Eastern Naval Command. The Vice Admiral conveyed his greetings to all personnel at the parade and their families on the momentous occasion of the 75th Independence Day as ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ and paid tributes to the sacrifices of those men and women who laid down their lives to secure India’s Independence. He also thanked all the veterans and acknowledged their contribution and dedication. He urged the modern generation to consider our Independence as a great achievement that came at a great cost, honour our veterans and remember our martyrs by doing our duties sincerely and diligently as Indian citizens.

He added that despite unprecedented challenges of Covid-19, ENC personnel have ensured combat readiness for operations at sea, underwater, or in the air including maintenance of the operational assets and support functions ashore, thereby ensuring high operational tempo. He highlighted the contribution of the Eastern Naval Command in our nation’s fight against Covid-19 by providing assistance in terms of setting up Covid Care Centres, medical aid to veterans, training and operationalisation of oxygen plants, provision of mobile oxygen plants, and ferrying of oxygen and other Covid-19 relief equipment from overseas in large quantities.

During the parade, Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh took the salute and inspected a 50-men Armed Guard. The Independence Day parade was attended by officers and sailors of ships and establishments based in Vizag. Naval veterans witnessed the parade as special invitees.

The parade concluded with the singing of the National Anthem by all present. The occasion was also utilised to felicitate naval veterans above 75 years on the 75th Independence Day.

In another event at the ‘Victory at Sea’ War Memorial on RK Beach Road, Vice Admiral Kalidoss Srinivas, Project Director, Ship Building Centre, Visakhapatnam placed a floral wreath and paid tributes to the brave warriors who made the supreme sacrifice in defence of the nation.