India will host three major international maritime events in Feb 2026 at Visakhapatnam, namely, the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026, Exercise MILAN 2026, and Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs.

About Exercise MILAN
Exercise MILAN is a biennial multilateral naval exercise hosted by the Indian Navy that aims to enhance professional interaction, interoperability, and maritime cooperation among participating "friendly" navies. 
Key Details

• Host: Indian Navy.
• Frequency: Biennial (every two years).
• Location: Originally held at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, it was shifted to Visakhapatnam, the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command, in 2022 due to the increase in the scale of participation.
• Phases: The exercise generally has two phases: a Harbour Phase (featuring seminars, cultural events, and expert exchanges to build camaraderie) and a Sea Phase (involving operational drills and manoeuvres).
• Purpose: The primary objectives include honing operational skills, learning best practices, enhancing maritime domain awareness, and strengthening diplomatic ties consistent with India's "Act East Policy" and the "Security and Growth for All in the Region" (SAGAR) initiative. 

Latest Edition (MILAN 2024)

• When: February 19 to 27, 2024.
• Where: Visakhapatnam.
• Participation: It was the 12th edition and the largest to date, with delegations from over 50 countries and nearly 20 foreign warships taking part.
• Activities: The sea phase included advanced air defence operations, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare drills, and cross-deck helicopter landings. 

Future Edition (MILAN 2026)

• When: Scheduled from February 15 to 25, 2026.
• Where: Visakhapatnam.
• Significance: It will be held simultaneously with two other major events: the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026 and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs, as part of the Prime Minister's MAHASAGAR vision. 

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