The harbor phase of the exercise is from 19 to 23 February. (file)
New Delhi:
India on Monday began a nine-day mega naval exercise with the participation of around 50 navies off Visakhapatnam, which came amid a volatile geopolitical environment including growing global concerns over the deteriorating security situation in the Red Sea.
Navies of countries including the US, Japan, Australia, France, Bangladesh, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia are participating in the 12th edition of the ‘Milan’ exercise, which aims to promote maritime cooperation between like-minded countries .
The exercise began with the arrival of 15 warships and one maritime patrol aircraft from the Allied countries.
From the Indian Navy, about 20 ships including aircraft carriers Vikrant and Vikramaditya and about 50 aircraft including MiG 29K, light combat aircraft Tejas and P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft are participating in the exercise.
MILAN is a biennial multinational naval exercise that began in 1995 with the participation of Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand in line with India’s ‘Look East’ policy. The exercise flourished till its 10th edition under the aegis of Andaman and Nicobar Command.
The port phase of the exercise is from 19 to 23 February. The sea phase consisting of various complex exercises and maneuvers will take place from 24 to 27 February.
Navy officials said the formal inauguration ceremony would take place on Wednesday.
The port phase includes the opening ceremony, international city parade, international maritime seminars, Milan Tech Expo and table top exercises, among others.
Officials said that during the sea phase, the participating navies will conduct advanced air defence, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare exercises.
Gunnery shoots at air and surface targets, maneuvers and ongoing replenishment will also be conducted.
Officials said the naval exercise will include large-scale maneuvers, advanced air defense operations, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface operations.
Indian Navy spokesperson Vivek Madhwal said, “Milan 2024 aims to strengthen regional cooperation and maritime security, promote interoperability and understanding among the participating navies and provide a platform to share best practices and expertise “
India’s growing strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific region has further enhanced the importance of the Milan exercise, he said, making it an attractive platform for countries to build partnerships, exchange ideas and enhance maritime security.
The previous edition of the exercise took place in Visakhapatnam in 2022.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
