Naval exercise MILAN-2024 to be held at Visakhapatnam; to witness participation of 50 countries

The 12th edition of the Multilateral Naval Exercise – 2024 (MILAN) is to be held at Visakhapatnam from February 19 to 27 2024.

Further, it is most likely to witness the largest-ever participation by over 50 countries and nearly 20 ships from friendly nations.

In accordance to the exercise a final Planning Conference was also held at Visakhapatnam in hybrid mode chaired by CSO (Ops), and attended by participating nations, as informed by the Indian Navy in an official statement.

The Flagship event, MILAN is a biennial multilateral naval exercise, which was incepted by the Indian Navy in 1995.

Originally conceived in consonance with India’s ‘Look East Policy, MILAN expanded in ensuing years with the Govt of India’s ‘Act East policy’ and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) initiative, to include participation from other Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs).

Noteworthy, the harbour phase of MILAN 24 will comprise of International Maritime Seminar, City Parade at RK Beach, Swavlamban Exhibition, Subject Matter Expert Exchange and Milan of Young Officers.

Further, Ships, Maritime patrol aircraft and submarines of Friendly Foreign Countries would participate in the sea phase along with Indian Navy units.

Indian Navy is likely to deploy both its aircraft carriers – INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant – at the Eastern seaboard in Visakhapatnam during the exercise. 

They will involve large-force manoeuvres, advanced air defence operations, Anti-submarine warfare and Anti-surface warfare operations.