Naval Exercise MILAN 2026
Why in News?
The naval exercise MILAN 2026 is currently in the news as the 13th edition of India's flagship multilateral maritime exercise commenced on 15 February 2026 in Visakhapatnam. It is part of a historic "maritime trifecta" occurring simultaneously with the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026 and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs.
Key Information About MILAN 2026
- Commencement & Scale: The exercise began on 15 February 2026 and will run until 25 February 2026. It is the largest in its history, featuring 72 participating nations.
- Trifecta Event: For the first time, India is hosting MILAN alongside the IFR and IONS Conclave, creating a massive convergence of global naval diplomacy and operational drills.
- MILAN Village: On 15 February 2026, the Indian Navy inaugurated the 'MILAN Village', a cultural experience zone designed to foster camaraderie through Indian cuisine, handicrafts, and live performances.
- Operational Vision: The event is the first major operational manifestation of PM Modi’s MAHASAGAR vision (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), announced in 2025.
- Location: Hosted at Visakhapatnam, the headquarters of the Indian Navy's Eastern Naval Command.
- Theme: The official theme is "Camaraderie, Cooperation, Collaboration".
- Key Participants:
- Major Powers: Includes the United States, Russia, Japan, Australia, France, and Germany.
- New Entrants: Featuring first-time participation from countries like the Philippines, Germany, and the UAE.
- Operational Phases:
- Harbour Phase: Focuses on professional seminars, subject matter expert exchanges, and cultural events at the MILAN Village.
- Sea Phase: Involves complex multi-domain maneuvers, including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), air defence drills, and search-and-rescue operations.
- Major Assets:
- Indian Navy: Showcasing indigenous muscle with aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, along with Visakhapatnam-class destroyers and Nilgiri-class stealth frigates.
- Foreign Assets: Notable foreign warships include Russia’s RFS Marshal Shaposhnikov and Australia’s HMAS Warramunga.
- Significance: It reinforces India’s role as a "Preferred Security Partner" and a "Builder's Navy," demonstrating its ability to bridge opposing global powers (like the US and Russia) in a single cooperative framework.
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