INS Vikramaditya, Vikrant lead the charge at MILAN 2024
Over 15 ships and 1 maritime patrol aircraft from friendly nations, joined by nearly 20 Indian navy ships at global naval exercise
Visakhapatnam: The twelfth edition of Multilateral Naval Exercise (MILAN) 2024 began on Monday amid high expectancy with the deployment of INS Vikramaditya (R33) and INS VIkrant (R11), India's two aircraft carriers by the Indian Navy and participation of friendly navies from various countries.
Chief of Navy Admiral Hari Kumar said on the eve of the grand event that this is for the first time that the two aircraft carriers are participating in an exercise. The biggest ever naval exercise themed 'forging naval alliances for a secure maritime future,' MILAN2024 is aimed at strengthening collaborations among the participating navies from the United States, Russia, Australia, France and other countries.
From the Indian Navy, nearly 20 ships including aircraft carriers Vikrant and Vikramaditya will participate for the first time simultaneously. The harbour phase from February 19 to 23 consists of International City Parade on the beach road, International Maritime Seminar, Milan Tech Expo, MILAN Village, Subject Matter Expert Exchange and Table Top Exercise.
Sea phase which will be held from February 24 to 27 will see participating navies take part in advanced Air Defence, Anti Submarine and Anti Surface Warfare drills. Gunnery shoots on aerial and surface targets, manoeuvres and underway replenishment.
The exercise attracts about 15 ships and one maritime patrol aircraft from friendly foreign countries and from the Indian Navy nearly 20 ships. Indian Navy stated on microblogging site X that "as she (INS Vikramditya heads out to the sea charged for #MILAN2024, may her presence always resonate with unwavering might...Fair winds, glorious seas and a resounding journey ahead."
MILAN-2024 provides a platform for the participating navies to share ideas to enhance security on high seas in the backdrop of a spate of piracy cases and misuse of drones. The nine-day multilateral exercise focuses on ensuring the safety of maritime commerce for growth and prosperity, recognising the significance of use of sea routes for transportation of freight.
A spokesperson for Adani Gangavaram Port, said they are feeling fortunate to host INS Vikramaditya at the port on the eve of its participation in MILAN 24 – a grand naval exercise.
