Indian Navy Launches Sea Phase of Multilateral MILAN Exercise in Bay of Bengal
The operational core of the Indian Navy's prestigious multilateral naval exercise, MILAN, is set to commence its crucial sea phase this Sunday in the strategic waters of the Bay of Bengal, off the coast of Visakhapatnam. This significant maritime event brings together naval assets from friendly foreign countries alongside India's formidable fleet, including ships, submarines, and aircraft, for intensive training and cooperation.
Comprehensive Naval Operations and Drills
The sea phase will be marked by a series of sophisticated maritime operations, intricate formation manoeuvres, and a diverse array of naval warfare exercises specifically designed to strengthen interoperability among the participating navies. Key activities scheduled include surface firings, anti-air and anti-submarine warfare drills, cross-deck helicopter operations, and advanced aircraft carrier operations. Notably, the indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant will play a pivotal role in these exercises, showcasing India's naval prowess.
As one of the largest multilateral naval exercises in the Indo-Pacific region, MILAN-2026 has successfully convened navies from across the globe with the primary objectives of enhancing interoperability, improving maritime domain awareness, and bolstering collective response capabilities to regional security challenges.
Focus on Complex Maritime Security Missions
The exercise will concentrate on executing complex maritime operations that encompass anti-submarine warfare, comprehensive air defence, coordinated search and rescue missions, and cooperative security operations. These drills are intended to reinforce a shared commitment among participating nations to maintaining free, open, inclusive, and rules-based seas, which are vital for global trade and stability.
MILAN represents a major operational manifestation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visionary ‘MAHASAGAR' initiative, which stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth across Regions. This exercise reaffirms India's growing role as a preferred security partner and a responsible stakeholder in the global maritime partnership framework.
Multi-Domain Warfare Training and Combined Task Force Development
Participating naval forces will engage in exercises across all domains of modern maritime warfare: surface, sub-surface, and air. They will undertake particularly complex and advanced drills aimed at consolidating interoperability and enhancing mutual understanding, with the ultimate goal of operating seamlessly as a combined task force at sea during real-world scenarios.
Professional Engagement and Cultural Exchange Components
In conjunction with the main exercise, the Milan of Young Officers (MOYO) program witnessed the participation of over 60 young naval officers from friendly navies for two days of intensive professional engagement. Highlights of this segment included ship-handling simulator training at the maritime warfare centre, cross-deck visits onboard various warships, sail training ship familiarisation onboard INS Tarangini, and educational visits to the maritime museum in Vizag.
As part of the International Fleet Review (IFR-2026) and MILAN activities, visiting foreign naval dignitaries and personnel from friendly nations also travelled to Agra, where they marvelled at the timeless beauty and exquisite craftsmanship of the iconic Taj Mahal. This cultural exchange served as a profound opportunity to deepen understanding of India's rich history, cultural values, and heritage, thereby strengthening international bonds through shared wonder and appreciation.
