New Delhi: The biennial Naval exercise Milan 2022 which was held in two phases— the harbour phase from February 25 to 28 and the Sea Phase from March 1 to 4  has not just grown in size with 39 countries, including extra regional navies participating in it, but also in sheer complexity with a focus on exercises at sea.

When the Indian Navy started Milan at the Andaman and Nicobar Command in 1995, the multilateral naval exercise saw just four participants from Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand. But 27 years later, the biennial exercise has not just grown in size with 40 countries, including India, participating in it, but also in sheer complexity, with a focus on exercises at sea in surface, sub-surface and air domains, also including weapon firings, and participation of extra regional navies such as the US Navy.

The theme of Milan 2022 was ‘Camaraderie – Cohesion – Collaboration’ – aimed at promoting collective responsibilities of maritime security for ensuring safe and secure seas, as per the Navy.

As many as 46 countries were invited for the exercise, of which 39 participated. Of the participating navies, 13 sent their warships for the exercise, while others were represented by delegations. According to the Navy, the aim of the exercise is to “hone operational skills, imbibe best practices and procedures, and enable doctrinal learning in the maritime domain, through professional interaction between friendly navies”.

As the Indo-Pacific gets exponentially complex with a number of foreign navies operating and also faces rising law and order issues, former Navy Chief Admiral Arun Prakash (Retd) said aside from cultural inter-mingling and exchanges between participating personnel, Milan activities focus on what are termed as “non-traditional maritime threats” such as piracy, maritime terrorism, climate change, illegal fishing, illegal immigration, and smuggling of arms and drugs.

“Participants exchange notes and compare ‘best practices’ in these spheres of maritime security. The close interaction, between naval personnel, during Milan, has beneficial outcomes, which can be utilised for strengthening regional diplomatic agendas,” he said.

He, however, added that the exercise, in its current form, is not meant to have any military to military connotations. Admiral Prakash explained that enhancing regional maritime cooperation and coordination to enhance maritime security or “good order at sea” is the main purpose of Milan.

He said that aside from the “non-traditional maritime threats”, equal importance is given to issues such as pandemic relief, humanitarian assistance & disaster relief (HADR), search & rescue (SAR) at sea, submarine rescue, refugee and non-combatant evacuation operations (NEO), among others.

“In all of these ops, navies have a critical role to play. Therefore, close cooperation and understanding (inter-operability wherever possible) between respective navies is of utmost importance, and Milan plays a vital role in their enhancement,” he said. The former Navy chief  said that the participation by the US Navy in Milan is a welcome sign.

“It is the biggest and most resource-rich navy in this part of the world, and has a valuable contribution to make to regional maritime security of the Indo-Pacific, especially in the domain of non-traditional threats,” he said.

According to an agency report, Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar said the Indian Navy seeks to be the preferred security partner for all smaller countries in the region. He said Milan was a reflection of trust and capability of the Indian Navy.

A senior Navy officer, who chose to remain anonymous, explained that today the Indian Ocean is host to a number of extra regional navies, in addition to the regional navies operating, for reasons such as anti-piracy, FONOPS, IUU, trade protection, among others.

“It then is but natural that all like-minded navies would need to have a common understanding and enjoy inter-operability for maintaining a rule-based order in the region. Milan, conducted by India, which has the largest navy is the region, is the answer,” the officer said.