INS Vikramaditya, Vikrant to star in Milan-2024 off Vizag

 Visakhapatnam: Indian Navy has announced deployment of its formidable aircraft carriers – INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant – on the Eastern Seaboard off Visakhapatnam during the MILAN-2024 exercise.

The port city is gearing up to host the international naval exercise from February 19 to February 27, 2024 under auspices of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) of the Indian Navy.

Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag-Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) ENC, revealed that MILAN-2024 will witness participation from nearly 50 friendly countries, including delegations and 20 foreign warships, alongside one maritime patrol aircraft.

The Vice Admiral addressed concerns about increasing Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean Region, though it may have legitimate economic reasons. He underlined that Indian Navy remains vigilant, keeping a close eye on activities of extra-regional forces in the region.

MILAN-2024 involves an array of programmes, including an international maritime seminar, table-top exercises, a demonstration of Indian Navy’s deep submergence rescue vessel, multilateral sea exercises, a city parade, and various social and cultural events.

The joint drills will underscore Indian Navy's expanding role in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) as a first responder and preferred security partner.

MIAN-2022, held in Visakhapatnam from February 25 to March 4, 2022, witnessed participation from 40 countries.

The upcoming MILAN-2024 is poised to be the largest multilateral military war game hosted by India, featuring large-force manoeuvers, advanced air defence operations, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface drills.