Why is it in the news?
→ Indian Navy established a dedicated MILAN village in Visakhapatnam for the 13th Exercise MILAN 2026.
→ Over 70 countries are participating, expanding India’s maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
Category: Defence
Important Points
- Exercise MILAN is a biennial multilateral naval exercise hosted by the Indian Navy.
- Launched in 1995 under the Andaman and Nicobar Command.
- Initially involved four foreign navies – Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
- 13th edition held from 15th to 25th February 2026.
- Participation from over 70 countries including Germany, Philippines and UAE.
- Core aim is to promote free, open, inclusive and rules-based maritime order.
- Designed to foster mutual understanding, trust and professional interaction among maritime partners.
- Comprises Harbour Phase (seminars, exchanges) and Sea Phase (interoperability, HADR, anti-submarine warfare, tactical manoeuvres).
- Supports India’s Act East Policy 2014 and MAHASAGAR vision.
- Serves as a platform for India’s role as preferred security partner in the Indo-Pacific.