Indian Navy to host mega military wargame in Feb, 50 navies to participate

In February 2024, India will host a nine-day mega naval exercise in which over 50 countries are expected to participate, against the backdrop of an increasingly fractious global geopolitical environment and China's increasing military muscle-flexing in the Indo-Pacific.

 

Officials stated on Friday that navies from the United States, Japan, Australia, France, Bangladesh, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia will take part in the 'Milan' exercise, which will take place off the coast of Visakhapatnam from February 19 to 27 next year The next exercise would be India's largest multilateral military wargame ever, with large-force maneuvers, enhanced air defense operations, anti-submarine warfare, and anti-surface training, they claimed.

Also read: ‘INS IMPHAL’ -Third Stealth Destroyer of Project 15B delivered to the Indian Navy

It has been learned that all important participating nations would send platforms and troops to the wargame in the Arabian Sea. Drills would also be used in the subsurface and air domains. The Milan is a biannual multinational naval exercise founded in 1995 by the Indian Navy. Initially planned in accordance with India's 'Look East Policy,' the exercise grew in the following years with New Delhi's 'Act East Policy' and the Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) project.

The Milan exercise in 2022 was attended by 39 countries. "The Milan 2024 is likely to see the largest-ever participation to date," Indian Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said. He claims it will be an action-packed exercise with a variety of exercises. Milan's harbor phase will include marine seminars, an exhibition, and a municipal parade. "Maritime patrol aircraft and submarines of friendly foreign countries would participate in the sea phase along with Indian Navy units," Madhwal, the Commander of the Navy, stated.

Also read: Indian Navy gets second Missile Ammunition barge LSAM8

"They will involve large-force manoeuvres, advanced air defence operations, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare operations," he told reporters. "The run-up to Milan is concomitant to India's G20 Presidency and the conduct of the exercise would yet again realise the 'G20 theme Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (The world is one family)," a spokeswoman for the Navy said.

On October 17, the Eastern Naval Command convened a mid-planning meeting in Milan, with friendly foreign navy attending. Representatives from invited nations were briefed on events scheduled during the port and sea phases during the virtual conference.