Naval Exercise MILAN-2024: Global Maritime Unity In Visakhapatnam

The 12th edition of the Multilateral Naval Exercise – 2024 (MILAN) will take place in Visakhapatnam from February 19th to February 27th. Over 50 countries and almost 20 ships from friendly nations are expected to attend, making it the largest event ever.

As part of the exercise, a final planning conference was held in Visakhapatnam in a hybrid mode (VC + in-person), led by CSO (Ops), @IN_HQENC, and attended by all the countries that were taking part, the Navy said in a statement.

The Indian Navy started the Flagship event, MILAN, in 1995. It is a multilateral naval exercise that happens every two years. At first, MILAN was created to fit India’s “Look East Policy.” Over the next few years, it grew to include other Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs) as part of the Indian government’s “Act East Policy” and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Security and Growth for All in the Region” (SAGAR) initiative.

There will be an International Maritime Seminar, a City Parade at RK Beach, an exhibition called Swavlamban, an exchange of subject matter experts, and Milan of Young Officers during the harbor phase of MILAN 24.

Along with Indian Navy units, ships, maritime patrol aircraft, and submarines from friendly foreign countries would take part in the sea phase. For the exercise, the Indian Navy is likely to station both of its aircraft carriers, INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, on the eastern coast in Visakhapatnam.

Heavy troop movements, advanced air defense operations, anti-submarine warfare, and anti-surface warfare operations will all be part of them.

India is currently hosting the G20, and the activities planned for the summit will once again live up to the “G20 theme Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.”

MILAN 22 took place at or near Visakhapatnam from February 25 to March 4, 22, with people from 39 countries taking part.