- Exercise MILAN, scheduled for February 2024, will be India’s largest multinational naval exercise, with over 50 countries likely to participate.
- The Indian Navy began this biennial drill in 1995 in the Andaman and Nicobar Command.
- In 1995, four nations – Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand – were the first to participate.
- Growth over Time: The number of participants and the difficulty of the activities have both increased dramatically.
- strategy Expansion: Expanded as part of India’s ‘Act East strategy’ and the SAGAR programme.
- Broader Inclusion: Now covers island nations and littoral states in the Western Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
The Importance of Exercise MILAN
- Showcasing Naval Strength: The Indian Navy’s increased participation and capabilities to serve as a first responder and Preferred Security Partner in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is shown in this exercise.
- Enhanced Operational Reach: The Indian Navy’s growing presence and operational reach through Mission Based Deployments and other engagements demonstrate India’s dedication to robust defence partnerships.
- The Value of Naval Exercises: These yearly exercises, which include 17 multilateral and 20 bilateral exercises, are critical for improving operational capability, interoperability, and developing diplomatic and maritime security connections.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1969483