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NEW DELHI: India’s flagship multinational Milan naval exercise aims to promote synergy and interoperability among like-minded countries, crucial in addressing global maritime security challenges, including the recent escalating attacks by Houthi rebels and Somali pirates in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Arabian Sea.
“It’s simply not possible for any one navy to do it alone…it has to be a collaborative effort. The Milan exercise, with participation from as many as 51 countries, will help forge deeper partnerships in tackling threats together,” said Navy Deputy Chief Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti on Wednesday. He added that there is “no messaging” against China through this exercise.
The Milan exercise will bring together warring countries such as the US, Russia, and Iran, who are also sending warships. Despite the diplomatic row with India over the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canada is also sending a delegation.
Other participating countries include France, the UK, Japan, Germany, Australia, Spain, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, Brazil, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, Mauritius, Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam.
In total, 20 Indian warships and submarines, including aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, along with 15 foreign warships and 50 aircraft, will take part in the Milan exercise in Visakhapatnam from February 19 to 27.
“The biennial Milan has transformed both in terms of size and complexity since it began in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 1995 with four foreign navies. In 2022, 39 countries took part. This year, there will be 51,” Vice Admiral Sobti said.
The exercise’s harbor phase will include an international maritime seminar discussing ongoing geopolitical developments and maritime security challenges, an international city parade, maritime tech exhibition, and exchanges of subject experts.
“Asymmetric threats, including autonomous aerial and surface platforms, will be part of a tabletop exercise,” Vice Admiral Sobti said. During the sea phase, the participating warships and aircraft will undertake large-force maneuvers, advanced air defense operations, anti-submarine warfare, and anti-surface operations.
“It’s simply not possible for any one navy to do it alone…it has to be a collaborative effort. The Milan exercise, with participation from as many as 51 countries, will help forge deeper partnerships in tackling threats together,” said Navy Deputy Chief Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti on Wednesday. He added that there is “no messaging” against China through this exercise.
The Milan exercise will bring together warring countries such as the US, Russia, and Iran, who are also sending warships. Despite the diplomatic row with India over the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canada is also sending a delegation.
Other participating countries include France, the UK, Japan, Germany, Australia, Spain, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, Brazil, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, Mauritius, Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam.
In total, 20 Indian warships and submarines, including aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, along with 15 foreign warships and 50 aircraft, will take part in the Milan exercise in Visakhapatnam from February 19 to 27.
“The biennial Milan has transformed both in terms of size and complexity since it began in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 1995 with four foreign navies. In 2022, 39 countries took part. This year, there will be 51,” Vice Admiral Sobti said.
The exercise’s harbor phase will include an international maritime seminar discussing ongoing geopolitical developments and maritime security challenges, an international city parade, maritime tech exhibition, and exchanges of subject experts.
“Asymmetric threats, including autonomous aerial and surface platforms, will be part of a tabletop exercise,” Vice Admiral Sobti said. During the sea phase, the participating warships and aircraft will undertake large-force maneuvers, advanced air defense operations, anti-submarine warfare, and anti-surface operations.
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