MILAN 2024 Exercise

Overview:

• MILAN 2024 is the 12th edition of the Indian Navy's largest naval exercise.
• The exercise was held in February 2024 at the Visakhapatnam naval base on India’s eastern coast.
• Over 50 countries participated in this prestigious multilateral naval exercise, underscoring its significance in fostering international naval cooperation.
   

Theme:

• The theme for MILAN 2024 was "Camaraderie, Cohesion, Collaboration", reflecting the spirit of strengthening international maritime relationships and enhancing cooperation between participating nations.
   

Objectives:

• The primary goal of MILAN 2024 was to enhance maritime security, improve naval interoperability, and promote cooperation among the navies of the participating countries.
• The exercise provided a platform for participants to engage in joint training exercises, share best practices, and address common challenges in the maritime domain.
   

Key Highlights:

• NISHAR Inauguration:
  • During MILAN 2024, India's Defence Minister inaugurated NISHAR, a networking and information-sharing platform developed by the Indian Navy.
  • NISHAR enables ships from friendly navies to share information effectively through the MITRA terminal, which uses a plug-and-play architecture.
  • This system enhances the ability to communicate seamlessly, providing a unified platform for real-time data exchange and improving collaboration among participating forces.
• Operational Exercises:
  • The exercise included a series of maritime drills, including simulated combat operations, search-and-rescue operations, and naval warfare tactics.
  • Participating navies engaged in various operations designed to improve interoperability and coordination among different naval forces in complex and dynamic environments.
• Strengthening Naval Diplomacy:
  • MILAN 2024 served as a significant step in strengthening India’s naval diplomacy and fostering stronger defense ties with countries in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
  • The exercise also provided a valuable opportunity for the Indian Navy to showcase its capabilities and leadership in regional maritime security.
     

Significance:

• The participation of over 50 countries in MILAN 2024 emphasized the global scope of the exercise and India’s role as a key player in maritime security.
• The exercise strengthens the strategic partnerships between participating nations and enhances the Indian Navy's ability to collaborate with other naval forces on matters of mutual interest, such as counter-piracy, maritime terrorism, and ensuring the security of global sea lanes.
   

Conclusion:
MILAN 2024 reaffirmed the Indian Navy’s commitment to enhancing maritime security and promoting international cooperation. By introducing platforms like NISHAR for enhanced information-sharing, the exercise demonstrated India’s proactive approach to modernizing naval operations and strengthening global naval alliances. The camaraderie, cohesion, and collaboration theme of the exercise highlighted the importance of collective action in maintaining a secure and stable maritime environment in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.