A historic Asian naval event occurred in early 2022 in the blue waters off the eastern coast of India at Visakhapatnam. During the Indian Navy’s hosting of the Milan Exercise 2022, naval units from around the globe united as a sign of sea power and solidarity.

Let’s find out what made it unique and why it’s important for maritime security worldwide.

Milan Exercise: What is it?

Every two years, the Indian Navy sponsors the international naval conference known as the Milan Exercise. Since its inception in 1995, when only four nations were involved, it has expanded significantly in both scope and recognition. In Hindi, “milan” means “meeting” or “gathering,” which perfectly captures the spirit of this naval conference.

The exercise, which began as a minor regional gathering in Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has grown into a major international maritime event that highlights India’s increasing naval might and diplomatic influence.

Milan 2022: Bigger Than Before

The eleventh iteration of this naval exercise, the 2022 edition, was unique in several ways:

• Record Turnout: More than 40 nations sent warships, high-level contingents, and naval representatives, making this the largest turnout in history.

• New Location: The exercise moved from Port Blair to Visakhapatnam, the main base of the Indian Eastern Naval Command, for the first time since its inauguration.

• Return to Track Post Pandemic Cancellation: Milan 2022 was a joyful return to normalcy through naval diplomacy after the previous session was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The exercise’s focus on cooperation and camaraderie among the participating navies was aptly encapsulated by the topic “Camaraderie-Cohesion-Collaboration.”

What Was the Structure of Milan 2022?

There were two stages to the nine-day naval encounter:

Phase of the Harbour (February 26–28, 2022)

Diplomatic, professional, and cultural interactions were the focus of the Harbour Phase:

• India’s Minister of State for Defence graced the flag-in ceremony on February 26 at the Naval Auditorium in Visakhapatnam.

• To commemorate the event, a commemorative cover and movie were released.

• “Harnessing Collective Maritime Competence through Collaboration” was the topic of a two-day maritime seminar.

• On February 27, international naval contingents observed an International City Parade.

• Foreign visitors were given cultural excursions to historically important locations like Agra and Bodh Gaya.

Phase of the Sea (March 1–4, 2022)

The major naval work was completed during the Sea Phase:

• Participating navigators deployed their warships to the ocean for cooperative drills.

• Simultaneous practice of complex maritime operations allowed the ships to show off their operational prowess and exchange best practices.

• They imitated tactical manoeuvring and other maritime situations.

India Moved Milan to Visakhapatnam: Why?

It was a practical move to move from Port Blair, the usual location, to Visakhapatnam. With over 40 participating countries, the exercise required:

• More room for anchoring given the large number of warships.

• Improved facilities to accommodate sizable delegations.

• Greater sea area for carrying out intricate naval manoeuvres.

• Improved access to resources on the mainland.

The Eastern Naval Command headquarters in Visakhapatnam was the ideal site for this expanded exercise.

The Significance of the Milan Exercise

There is much more to the Milan Exercise than just navy ships sailing together. It is crucial from a strategic standpoint:

Regarding India:

• Maritime Leadership: It enables India to exercise its maritime might in the Indo-Pacific region responsibly.

• Strategic Alignment: The exercise aligns with the “Act East Policy” and “SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region)” initiatives of India.

• Naval Diplomacy: India strengthens its naval ties with friendly nations through naval diplomacy.

• Regional Security: It assists in fending off growing maritime dangers in the Indian Ocean region.

Regarding the Participating Countries:

• Operational Learning: Navies share best practices with one another.

• Interoperability: When actual crises arise, forces become more adept at working together.

• Professional Development: Experience in multinational operations is gained by naval personnel.

• Diplomatic Relations: Defense cooperation helps nations fortify their bonds.

For the Sake of International Maritime Security:

• Freedom of Navigation: The exercise makes clear sea lanes more important.

• Counter-Piracy: A combined naval presence deters piracy in a de facto manner.

• Humanitarian Assistance: Coordinates group efforts to alleviate disasters.

• Strategic Balance: To counterbalance regionally dominant naval powers, a coalition of like-minded navies is formed.

The Growth Story of Milan Exercise

The evolution of the Milan Exercise provides an intriguing account of India’s increasing maritime might:

• 1995: Only four nations were included at first (Sri Lanka, Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia).

• Early 2000s: Added more Southeast Asian fleets over time.

• 2010s: Began extending invitations to navies outside the immediate area.

• 2022: More than 40 nations took part, including nations from the Americas, Europe, and Africa.

Growing recognition of India’s role in ensuring the security of the Indian Ocean and beyond is reflected in this expansion.

Looking Ahead: Milan Exercise’s Future

The Milan Exercise will continue to expand in the upcoming years due to its increasing success. Future iterations would consist of:

• Enhanced collaboration.

• More integrated Air forces.

• Increased access to disaster relief and humanitarian aid.

• Development of more advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and unmanned ships.

• Emerging maritime issues like the effects of climate change, the security of marine resources, and cybersecurity at sea can also be covered by the exercise.

Bottom Line

The 2022 Milan Exercise marked a sea change for India as a blue-water power. India demonstrated its commitment to establishing international naval cooperation and providing security in the Indo-Pacific area by welcoming more than 40 navies to Visakhapatnam.

Milan represents the values of friendship and collaboration between nations that cross the oceans, and it is more than just a naval drill. Forums like Milan are becoming more and more crucial in building the operational familiarity and mutual trust needed to make the world’s seas safe and open to everyone as maritime affairs become more complex.

The Milan Exercise has truly grown into one of the most significant naval diplomatic exercises in the Asian maritime arena, from its modest beginnings in 1995 with only four participating nations to the multi-country extravaganza of 2022.