Visakhapatnam: Moving beyond dialogue to complex, multi-domain sea maneuvers and advanced combat drills, operationalising interoperability against emerging maritime threats, the Indian Navy’s Exercise MILAN 2026 aims to evaluate the collective response capabilities of participating navies as a cohesive maritime force through real-time communication and combined tactics. The exercise will form a major operational pillar of IFR2026 India, showcasing collective maritime strength.
Guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s MAHASAGAR vision, Indian Navy is set to host Exercise MILAN 2026 from February 15–25, a historic demonstration of maritime convergence. The exercise will see participation of 70+ nations, moving beyond diplomacy to high-intensity drills, solidifying India’s role as a global anchor for maritime peace and a rules-based order.
Moving from basic passage exercises to complex naval warfare, the 2026 edition marks the most sophisticated iteration of MILAN 2026 to date. The Harbour Phase, February 19, commences with a showcase of Camaraderie, Cooperation & Collaboration at the opening ceremony & International City Parade, followed by intellectual exchange through the International Maritime Seminar and Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE), laying the groundwork for the operational phase. This serves as a vital trust-building precursor, allowing commanders to synchronise communication protocols before engaging in live-firing exercises and tactical manoeuvres.
Culminating in a rigorous Sea Phase (February 21–25) in the underwater of Bengal, the MILAN 2026 emphasises ‘multi-domain synergy,’ integrating submarine warfare, surface-to-air engagements, and complex Electronic Warfare (EW) scenarios. This phase is specifically designed to test the limits of cross-platform compatibility, ensuring that warships from diverse technological backgrounds can operate together to counter shared maritime challenges.
The role of India’s indigenous platforms will be a key highlight of MILAN2026. Likely to be led by the carrier battle group INS Vikrant, alongside the newly commissioned Giri class and other ships, the exercise will not only feature India’s ‘Builder’s Navy’ status but also provide participating nations a first-hand look at the reliability of Indian-made defense hardware in a high-intensity environment.
Serving as a practical laboratory for the MAHASAGAR doctrine, Exercise MILAN 2026 by simulating responses to non-traditional threats, including piracy, asymmetric drone attacks, and disaster relief, moves past symbolic diplomacy to create a tangible ‘Security Architecture’ that safeguards the global maritime commons.
Initiated in 1995 with four nations, Exercise MILAN has evolved into a global maritime benchmark for trust and cooperation. Hosted biennially by the Indian Navy, it serves as a vital instrument for India’s Act East Policy and the SAGAR framework. Representing an unprecedented scale of naval diplomacy and stepping up as a Preferred Security Partner, Exercise MILAN while highlighting India’s shared commitment to international maritime security and camaraderie, secures the stability of the global commons.
