MILAN EXERCISE 2024
The first edition of MILAN was held in 1995 and has since grown into a major international event. The latest edition, MILAN 2022, was held from 25 February to 4 March 2022 in Visakhapatnam, India. It was the largest edition of the exercise to date, with participation from 42 countries.
The exercise typically includes a harbour phase and a sea phase. The harbour phase involves professional exercises, seminars, social events, and sporting fixtures. The sea phase involves a series of complex maritime operations, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-air warfare, and surface warfare exercises
The exercise aims to:
- Strengthen international cooperation and mutual understanding amongst participating navies.
- Enhance interoperability and operational readiness in a multi-national environment.
- Showcase the Indian Navy's capabilities and commitment to maritime security in the region.
- The Indian Navy's large-scale multinational exercise, MILAN, is set to involve the participation of 51 countries, 11 heads of maritime agencies, and naval assets from 15 nations. Notably, new entrants like Canada, Spain, Germany, Italy, Iraq, and Yemen are part of the 51-country contingent.
- The exercise is taking place against the backdrop of emerging security challenges in the Gulf of Aden, marked by a series of drone and missile attacks on merchant ships in recent months.
- Given the Navy's recent anti-piracy operations in the Arabian Sea, the 12th edition of MILAN will witness operational units and delegations from the 51 participating countries. The sea exercise will involve 15 ships and one Maritime Patrol Aircraft from friendly foreign nations, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Russia, the United States, Iran, Myanmar, Malaysia, and France. On the Indian Navy's side, nearly 20 ships, including the aircraft carriers Vikrant and Vikramaditya, along with approximately 50 aircraft, will actively participate in the exercise
MILAN and the SAGAR initiative (Security and Growth for All in the Region) are both significant components of India's maritime strategy, each contributing to the country's objectives in the maritime domain.
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MILAN Exercise:
- Purpose: MILAN is a multilateral naval exercise hosted by the Indian Navy. Its primary aim is to promote cooperation and understanding among friendly navies, particularly those in the Indian Ocean region.
- Participation: MILAN involves the participation of numerous countries, including both littoral and non-littoral states. It includes professional interactions, cultural exchanges, and naval drills to enhance maritime security and address common challenges.
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SAGAR Initiative:
- Concept: The SAGAR initiative is a strategic vision outlined by India, emphasizing a holistic approach to maritime security and development in the Indian Ocean region.
- Objectives: SAGAR aims to ensure a secure and stable maritime environment, promote sustainable development, facilitate trade and economic activities, and strengthen regional cooperation in the Indian Ocean.
Connecting the Dots:
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Maritime Security: Both MILAN and the SAGAR initiative contribute to the overarching goal of enhancing maritime security. MILAN achieves this through practical exercises, joint patrols, and cooperation among naval forces, while SAGAR focuses on a comprehensive strategy to address security challenges in the broader maritime domain.
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Regional Cooperation: MILAN fosters regional cooperation by bringing together a diverse group of nations for naval exercises. Similarly, the SAGAR initiative promotes collaboration among Indian Ocean littoral states for shared economic and security interests.
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Addressing Challenges: Both initiatives address emerging challenges in the maritime realm. MILAN, being a naval exercise, directly deals with operational challenges, while the SAGAR initiative takes a more strategic and diplomatic approach to address broader geopolitical and economic challenges in the region.
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Comprehensive Maritime Policy: Together, MILAN and the SAGAR initiative contribute to India's comprehensive maritime policy by combining operational readiness (as seen in MILAN) with a long-term vision for sustainable development and security (as outlined in the SAGAR initiative).
