MILAN 2026, hosted by India, marked a significant milestone in multinational naval cooperation with participation from 75 countries. The exercise was conducted under the leadership of Rear Admiral Alok Ananda, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, and was centred around INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier.
The scale of participation reflects the expanding profile of MILAN as a key maritime engagement platform. Navies from across regions, including the United States, France and Australia, joined the exercise. The theme Camaraderie Cohesion and Collaboration guided the activities, focusing on building trust, improving coordination and strengthening interoperability among participating forces.
MILAN began in 1995 as a modest gathering of four regional navies from Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Over the decades, it has expanded into one of the prominent multilateral naval exercises in the Indo Pacific region. The growth in participation underscores increasing recognition of the need for collective maritime security.
Officials indicated that MILAN 2026 included a combination of harbour and sea phases. Activities typically involve professional exchanges, operational planning discussions and coordinated exercises at sea. These engagements are designed to enhance mutual understanding and preparedness in addressing maritime challenges such as piracy, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
The presence of a large number of participating countries at a single venue signals the strategic importance of the Indo Pacific maritime domain. With global trade routes passing through the region, ensuring freedom of navigation and maintaining stability are shared priorities for many nations. Multilateral exercises such as MILAN provide an opportunity to build practical cooperation and strengthen communication channels among navies.
The central role of INS Vikrant during the exercise highlighted India’s growing indigenous defence capabilities. As an aircraft carrier built in India, it represents advancements in shipbuilding, technology integration and operational readiness. Showcasing such assets during international exercises also reflects India’s commitment to self reliance in defence production.
Defence analysts note that the increasing scale of MILAN aligns with broader efforts to enhance maritime partnerships and reinforce a rules based international order. The participation of diverse nations demonstrates willingness to collaborate despite varying regional interests.
India’s hosting of MILAN 2026 further reinforces its position as a significant maritime stakeholder. Through sustained engagement and dialogue, the exercise contributes to confidence building measures and long term cooperation among navies.
As maritime security challenges evolve, collaborative frameworks like MILAN are expected to play an important role in fostering stability and strengthening international partnerships in the years ahead
