Foreign warships arrive in Sri Lanka to take part in International Fleet Review 2025

In a display of naval cooperation, three warships representing Bangladesh and India made port calls in Colombo on 25 and 26 November, for the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2025, scheduled to be held on 30 November. The visiting ships were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with time-honoured naval traditions.

The Sri Lanka Navy is hosting this capstone event in celebration of its proud 75th anniversary. Warships from Iran, Malaysia, the Maldives, Pakistan, and Russia are also scheduled to arrive on the island to participate in the fleet review.

Among the ships that arrived in Colombo were BNS Prottoy (90.1m) from the Bangladesh Navy, commanded by Captain MD Touhidul Haque Bhuiyan. From the Indian Navy, the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant (262.5m), commanded by Captain Ashok Rao, and INS Udaygiri (149.2m), commanded by Captain Vikas Sood, also arrived in port.

The IFR 2025 will be complemented by a series of cultural and community activities, including a beach clean-up initiative, sporting fixtures, a musical band performance, a food gala, and a city parade featuring foreign naval personnel.