Vice-President to Inaugurate MILAN-2024: Strengthening Naval Bonds Across Continents

Visakhapatnam:  In a significant diplomatic and maritime event, the Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, is set to visit Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh on February 22, 2024. The highlight of his one-day tour will be his role as the Chief Guest at the inauguration ceremony of the 12th edition of the International Maritime Seminar, ‘MILAN-2024.’

The Multilateral Naval Exercise, MILAN 2024, organized under the aegis of Eastern Naval Command, is scheduled to take place from February 19 to February 27, 2024. This edition of MILAN aims to facilitate professional interaction between friendly navies, fostering collaboration and gaining experience in multilateral large force operations at sea.

The Harbour Phase of MILAN 2024, spanning from February 19 to February 23, offers a platform for participating navies to discuss maritime subjects of common interest. The phase includes a Table Top Exercise, Interactions of Young Officers, Outstation Cultural visits, and an International City Parade. These engagements are designed to build the operational tempo for the subsequent Sea Phase scheduled from February 24 to February 27, 2024.

During the Sea Phase, Indian Navy ships, aircraft, and submarines, led by the Indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, alongside 20-25 foreign naval units, will engage in large force maneuvers, advanced air defense operations, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare operations, and War at Sea.

MILAN, which started as a regional event, has evolved into a prestigious maritime exercise with the participation of approximately 58 friendly foreign countries across continents in the 2024 edition. The organizers express hope that the operational, social, and cultural exchanges during MILAN 2024 will be of immense professional value, paving the way for enhanced maritime cooperation.