India shows Naval prowess at International Fleet Review – See pics

The main event of IFR 2016 will be held on Saturday when President Pranab Mukherjee will review the International Fleet.

Final rehearsal of International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam on Thursday

Visakhapatnam: The International Fleet Review (IFR), being hosted by the Indian Navy and the Government of India, officially kicked off at Visakhapatnam with wreath laying on Thursday.

The main event of IFR 2016 will be held on Saturday when President Pranab Mukherjee, Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, will review the International Fleet.

On Thursday, the ocean along the country's eastern coast was buzzing with activity as ships lined up and friendly naval contingents from around the world arrived for the country's second International Fleet Review.

With the theme "United through Oceans", the IFR will see participation of around 50 Navies, 90 ships, including 24 warships, and over 70 aircraft. Ships of the Indian Coast Guard and mercantile marine would also take part.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the gathering on Sunday.

The list of participating navies includes the United States of America, China, the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Canada, Russia, South Africa, Japan, South Korea, Peru, Chile, Colombia and Brazil.

Here are some enthralling pictures from the final rehearsal held on Thursday. Be ready to be wowed!

Indian aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya is seen during the final rehearsal of International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam on Thursday. INS Vikramaditya is a modified Kiev-class aircraft carrier which entered into service with the Indian Navy in 2013.

Indian aircraft carrier INS Viraat (right) is seen during the final rehearsal of International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam. INS Viraat is a Centaur-class aircraft carrier in service with the Indian Navy and is the oldest aircraft carrier in service in the world.

Indian sailors take off their hats to salute as the Indian presidential yacht passes them during the final rehearsal of International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam.  

British sailors salute as the Indian presidential yacht passes them during the final rehearsal of International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam on Thursday.

Indian warships are seen during the final rehearsal of the International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam.

Indian warships are seen during the final rehearsal of the International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam.

Indian Chief of Naval Staff Robin K Dhowan salutes sailors during the final rehearsal of the International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam on Thursday.

Indian sailors on aircraft carrier INS Viraat salute as Indian president's yacht moves past them during the final rehearsal of International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam.

Indian naval commandos show their prowess during the final rehearsal of International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam.

An Indian Navy helicopter shows a rescue operation during the final rehearsal of International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam.  

#IFR2016 IFR finally gets underway. After wreath laying, CM inaugurates the MAREX & IFR Village pic.twitter.com/v2fxfA2rfr — Captain DK Sharma (@CaptDKS) February 4, 2016

#IFR2016 Hon'ble CM of Andhra Pradesh inaugurating the Maritime Exhibition at Andhra University grounds pic.twitter.com/YP6Gc6GniA — Captain DK Sharma (@CaptDKS) February 4, 2016

.@USAndIndia welcomes USS ANTIETAM as it enters Vizag, India for #IFR2016. Good luck! pic.twitter.com/gnFZpFJS4v — U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) February 4, 2016

#PresidentMukherjee to witness the International Fleet Review on February 6
https://t.co/TIAce3T6ta pic.twitter.com/7e8k1k7k7W — PIB India (@PIB_India) February 4, 2016

Warm welcome to everyone joining us for International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam. https://t.co/M1IqjjPztZ pic.twitter.com/g9cuY4R5Z5 — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 4, 2016

SKYCATS WING WALKER TEAM OF SWEDEN at @vizag_airport practising for #IFR2016 #IFR2016VIZAG pic.twitter.com/bdGYl0TpPL — Vizag Airport (@vizag_airport) February 4, 2016

SKYCATS WING WALKER TEAM of Sweden at @vizag_airport practising for #IFR2016 #IFR2016VIZAG pic.twitter.com/AI6c1naFh0 — Vizag Airport (@vizag_airport) February 4, 2016

#IFR2016 #IFR2016VIZAG REHEARSALS

Pc. Photographers of Vizag pic.twitter.com/Qw2EOt73kW — Vizag Airport (@vizag_airport) January 30, 2016

#IFR2016 #IFR2016VIZAG Rehearsals

Pc. Photographers of Vizag pic.twitter.com/bFuXKEZQ2H — Vizag Airport (@vizag_airport) January 30, 2016

#IFR2016 First look of the Presidential Yacht. The President alongwith PM & other cabinet minister shall sail on her pic.twitter.com/hFW0kndUHI — Captain DK Sharma (@CaptDKS) January 31, 2016