The Indian Navy is hosting Exercise MILAN 2026 in Visakhapatnam from February 15 to 25, marking one of the largest multilateral naval exercises in the Indo-Pacific region.
Key Highlights
- MILAN 2026 is a central part of India’s maritime outreach, alongside the International Fleet Review 2026 and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium Conclave of Chiefs.
- Navies from across the globe are participating to enhance interoperability, maritime domain awareness, and collective response capabilities.
Harbour and Sea Phases
The exercise will include advanced operational drills such as:
- Anti-submarine warfare
- Air defence
- Search and rescue missions
- Cooperative maritime security operations
These activities aim to reinforce a shared commitment to free, open, inclusive, and rules-based seas.
Strategic Significance
MILAN 2026 reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s MAHASAGAR vision, highlighting India’s role as a Preferred Security Partner and a responsible stakeholder in global maritime commons.
Launched in 1995 at Port Blair with four navies, Exercise MILAN has evolved into a premier multilateral naval exercise, underscoring India’s growing role as a convenor of regional maritime cooperation—especially with its upcoming chairmanship of IONS.
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