NavalExercise – Rajnath Singh to Launch MILAN 2026 in Visakhapatnam
NavalExercise – India’s largest multilateral naval engagement, MILAN 2026, will be formally inaugurated on Thursday by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the Samudrika Auditorium inside the Naval Base in Visakhapatnam. The event marks the official commencement of a key maritime exercise that has steadily grown in global stature over the past three decades.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi will attend the ceremony alongside senior naval officers and representatives from participating countries. The inauguration follows preparatory activities that began earlier this week.
Harbour Phase Sets the Stage
The harbour phase of MILAN 2026 commenced on Wednesday, bringing together naval delegations from across the world. The programme includes professional interactions, planning conferences and structured exchanges aimed at strengthening operational coordination.
Earlier, on February 15, Eastern Naval Command Commander-in-Chief Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla inaugurated the MILAN Village, a dedicated space designed to facilitate interaction among visiting personnel. Cultural performances and a formal dinner were organised on Wednesday evening, offering delegates an opportunity to build camaraderie beyond official engagements.
Ahead of the formal launch, a two-day international maritime seminar will begin on Thursday. The seminar is expected to bring together naval leaders, strategic experts and policymakers to deliberate on evolving maritime challenges and cooperative security frameworks.
Sea Phase to Begin on February 21
The operational sea phase of the exercise is scheduled from February 21 to February 25. During this period, participating navies will conduct coordinated drills in open waters, focusing on improving joint operational capability.
Both harbour and sea components are structured to enhance interoperability among naval forces. Exercises will include advanced anti-submarine warfare operations, air defence coordination and search-and-rescue missions. Officials say these drills are designed to strengthen maritime domain awareness and improve readiness in complex scenarios.
The sea phase will also simulate large-scale multilateral operations, allowing participating forces to function as a unified maritime grouping. Such engagements are considered crucial in building mutual trust and ensuring effective response mechanisms during regional contingencies.
Evolution of a Multilateral Engagement
Initiated by the Indian Navy in 1995, MILAN began as a modest gathering of four regional navies — Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The first edition was conducted at Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and was closely aligned with India’s then “Look East Policy,” which later evolved into the “Act East” policy and the broader vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).
Over time, the scope of the exercise has expanded considerably. What began as basic seamanship and coordination drills has transformed into complex, high-intensity operations reflecting the changing dynamics of maritime security. Anti-air and anti-submarine warfare components now form a central part of the exercise, underscoring India’s growing maritime capabilities and its emphasis on collaborative security.
Shift to Visakhapatnam and Growing Participation
Although MILAN was traditionally hosted in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the venue shifted to Visakhapatnam in 2020. The change was attributed to the city’s more extensive naval infrastructure and enhanced logistical capacity, enabling it to accommodate a larger number of ships and delegations.
Participation has steadily increased over the years. While 42 nations took part in the 2022 edition, MILAN 2026 has drawn representatives from 70 countries, marking a notable expansion in its international outreach. The growing turnout reflects wider recognition of the exercise as a platform for professional engagement and maritime collaboration.
Officials describe MILAN as an opportunity to exchange operational best practices and strengthen long-term partnerships among friendly navies. As maritime trade routes and regional security concerns gain prominence, such multilateral engagements are viewed as essential for maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
With formal proceedings set to begin in Visakhapatnam, MILAN 2026 is poised to reinforce India’s role as a key maritime partner while advancing collective efforts toward secure and cooperative oceans.