Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the 13th edition of Exercise MILAN-2026 at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, marking the start of the premier multilateral naval exercise. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Singh said, this edition reflects the global maritime community’s confidence in India as a trusted and responsible maritime partner.

 

He said, this year, with the participation of 74 nations, MILAN 2026 stands as the largest and most inclusive edition to date, a reflection of the confidence of the global maritime community. 

 

He said the exercise has grown from a regional initiative to one of the world’s prominent naval engagements, reflecting the country’s steady and credible maritime outreach. He said the exercise aims to enhance interoperability among participating navies, strengthen professional competence through the exchange of best practices, and deepen bonds of friendship.

 

He said that joint exercises, professional exchanges and cultural interactions during MILAN would foster mutual trust and enable coordinated responses to common challenges. 

 

Earlier, the Defence Minister reviewed the preparedness for the MILAN exercise with senior naval officials. MILAN 2026 is being conducted under the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam. Navies from 74 friendly foreign countries are participating, gaining valuable experience in large-scale multilateral operations and strengthening cooperation at sea.