Recently, the Indian Navy announced that the biennial multilateral maritime exercise MILAN 2026 will take place in February 2026. This significant event aims to foster international naval collaboration and enhance maritime security.
The MILAN exercise was launched in 1995 by the Indian Navy at the Andaman and Nicobar Command. Initially, it saw participation from countries like Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The exercise has been held every two years, with exceptions in 2001, 2005, 2016, and 2020. Early iterations were primarily focused on improving cooperation in maritime security and conducting Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
The term ‘MILAN’ translates to “meeting” or “confluence,” aligning perfectly with its motto — Camaraderie, Cohesion, Collaboration. This upcoming edition is expected to involve more than 55 nations, including major powers like the United States and Russia, marking it as one of the largest maritime exercises conducted by the Indian Navy.
The exercise will comprise two main phases, focusing on:
India and Russia have established a robust military partnership, engaging in various joint exercises, including:
The MILAN exercise holds substantial significance for several reasons:
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