Exercise MILAN 2026 | 18 Feb 2026

Source: TOI 

The Indian Navy has established a dedicated MILAN village in Visakhapatnam to facilitate cultural and social exchanges among delegates participating in 13th Exercise MILAN 2026 (15th to 25th February 2026). 

• 13th Exercise MILAN 2026 features participation from over 70 countries, including first-timers like Germany, the Philippines, and the UAE. 

Exercise MILAN 

• About: MILAN is a biennial (once every two years) multilateral naval exercise hosted by the Indian Navy. Launched in 1995 under the Andaman and Nicobar Command with participation from just four foreign navies—Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand—it has since grown into one of the largest maritime engagements in the Indo-Pacific region. 
• Core Objectives: Aims to foster mutual understanding, trust, and professional interaction among maritime partners to promote a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based maritime order. 
• Structural Phases: Comprises two main phases: the Harbour Phase (seminars, subject-matter expert exchanges, etc.) and the Sea Phase (focusing on interoperability, HADR, anti-submarine warfare, and tactical manoeuvres). 
• Policy Alignment: The exercise serves as a key platform for India's Act East Policy 2014, the MAHASAGAR vision, and its role as a preferred security partner in the Indo-Pacific.