Amaravati, February 22, 2026: The operational core of the Indian Navy's flagship multilateral exercise MILAN 2026 has begun off Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
Following the harbour phase that started February 18, this five-day sea phase unites Indian warships, including aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, submarines, aircraft, and vessels from friendly foreign navies.
Participants conduct formation manoeuvres, anti-submarine and anti-air warfare exercises, cross-deck helicopter operations, search and rescue missions, and coordinated firings across surface, sub-surface, and air domains.
Hosted in the Bay of Bengal, the drills strengthen interoperability, maritime domain awareness, and collective security in the Indo-Pacific. As one of the region's largest such engagements, MILAN 2026 reflects India's growing role in fostering global maritime cooperation under visions like MAHASAGAR.
