Visakhapatnam: The MILAN Exercise 2024 started on Monday as naval ships from multiple countries arrived at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Pre-sail discussions among participating units for the sea phase, led by Headquarters Eastern Fleet, marked the beginning of this multinational naval exercise.
The Eastern Naval Command posted on X, stating, “As part of the multinational naval exercise, Pre-Sail Discussions were conducted among the participating units for Sea Phase led by Headquarters Eastern Fleet #Visakhapatnam today. @IN_EasternFleet Nearly 140 Officers from 15 Navies, including the Indian Navy, collaborated to formulate plans for conduct of the complex sea phase.”
The Indian Navy extended a warm welcome to naval ships from Russia, Australia, the Seychelles, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and the US. Notable vessels that arrived in Visakhapatnam include Marshal Shaposhnikov (BPK 543) and Varyag (011) from the Russian Navy, PS Zoroaster from the Seychelles Coast Guard, IRIS Dena from the Iranian Navy, BNS Dhaleshwari from the Bangladesh Navy, and KD Lekir (FSG 26) from the Royal Malaysian Navy.
HMAS Warramunga of the Royal Australian Navy, Corvette 20 of the Vietnam People’s Navy, and USS Halsey (DDG-97) of the United States Navy had previously docked in Visakhapatnam to participate in the MILAN exercise.
The 12th edition of the MILAN exercise, scheduled from February 19 to 27, boasts participation from over 50 countries. The theme, “Forging Naval Alliances for a Secure Maritime Future,” underscores the exercise’s focus on enhancing maritime security cooperation. Navy Chief Admiral Hari Kumar lauded the event as the “largest exercise we have held so far,” emphasising its significance in strengthening naval alliances and ensuring maritime stability.
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