11 Heads of maritime agencies will take part in the flagship multinational ‘MILAN’ naval exercise this year
The 12th edition of the MILAN exercise, which will be held at Visakhapatnam from 19 to 27 February, will witness participation by over 51 countries, aiming to promote synergy and interoperability amidst the escalating global maritime security challenges, including the recent attacks by Houthi rebels and Somali pirates in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Arabian Sea. The MILAN exercise is expected to serve as a platform for the convergence of warring nations with historical tensions, including the US, Russia, and Iran, all dispatching warships. Despite recent diplomatic strains with India following the incident involving the Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canada will still send a delegation. Moreover, many other nations, such as France, the UK, Japan, Germany, Australia, Spain, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, Brazil, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, Mauritius, Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam, are set to participate.
“It’s simply not possible for any one navy to do it alone; it has to be a collaborative effort. The Milan exercise, with participation from as many as 51 countries, will help forge deeper partnerships in tackling threats together,” said Navy Deputy Chief Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti on Wednesday in New Delhi.
The sea exercise will witness 15 ships and one Maritime Patrol Aircraft from friendly foreign countries. From the Indian Navy, nearly 20 warships and submarines, including aircraft carriers Vikrant and Vikramaditya and almost 50 aircraft will participate in the naval drill.
“The biennial Milan has transformed both in terms of size and complexity since it began in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 1995 with four foreign navies. In 2022, 39 countries took part. This year, there will be 51,” Vice Admiral Sobti said.
“Our message is that our challenges at sea, these we can face if we work together. And so we want to give this platform to the countries so that they come, discuss how to participate and the challenges, and do sea exercise,” he added.
The exercise’s harbour phase from 19 to 23 will include an international maritime seminar discussing ongoing geopolitical developments and maritime security challenges, an international city parade, a maritime tech exhibition, and exchanges of subject experts.
“Asymmetric threats, including autonomous aerial and surface platforms, will be part of a tabletop exercise,” Vice Admiral Sobti said. During the sea phase, the participating warships and aircraft will undertake large-force manoeuvres, advanced air defence operations, anti-submarine warfare, and anti-surface warfare drills. Gunnery shoots on aerial and surface targets, manoeuvres, and underway replenishment would also be conducted.
Asked if the current geopolitical environment will be discussed during the event, the Deputy Chief said, “We will be discussing, certainly, the current geopolitical situation and the maritime challenges that arise from these. It is the main topic for consideration this year. This will be taken up in discussion as well in tabletop exercises that we will have with the participating navies.”
Vice Admiral Sobti said, “11 heads of maritime agencies” are participating in ‘Milan’ this year. The Indian Navy will engage with them through international maritime expositions. Besides, there will be bilateral dialogues between the Indian Naval Chief and the heads of these maritime agencies, he added.
Ravi Shankar
