Rajnath Singh to Inaugurate MILAN 2026 in Visakhapatnam

Rajnath Singh will officially open MILAN 2026, a major multilateral naval exercise, at the Samudrika Auditorium in Visakhapatnam.

This event brings together navies from around 70 countries.

Where and When

The exercise is held in Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) at the Indian Navy’s Eastern Naval Command base.

The harbour activities started before the inauguration, and the sea phase will run from February 21 to February 25, 2026.

What Happens in MILAN 2026

The exercise includes harbour and sea phases focusing on teamwork among different navies.

Participating navies will practise drills in:

Anti-submarine warfare

Air defence operations

Search-and-rescue missions

The aim is to improve interoperability and cooperation among friendly naval forces.

Supporting Events

Before the formal opening, a two-day international maritime seminar will take place for officers and delegates.

A MILAN Village was also set up to welcome foreign participants with cultural events and interaction spaces.

History and Growth

MILAN started in 1995 with a few regional navies and has grown into one of the world’s significant naval exercises.

Past editions were held mainly in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, but it moved to Visakhapatnam because of better facilities.

The 2026 edition with 70 countries is one of the largest ever.

Purpose and Significance

MILAN 2026 aims to build strong professional ties with friendly nations’ navies.

It helps share best practices in naval operations and expands cooperation at sea.

The event supports India’s vision of regional maritime security and partnership.