Exercise MILAN 2026 concludes with closing ceremony aboard INS Vikrant
Exercise MILAN 2026, the Indian Navy's premier multilateral maritime exercise, concluded on 25 February 2026 with a closing ceremony aboard the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant off Visakhapatnam.
Summary
Exercise MILAN 2026, the Indian Navy's premier multilateral maritime exercise, concluded on 25 February 2026 with a closing ceremony aboard the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant off Visakhapatnam, presided over by Rear Admiral Alok Ananda, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet. Held under the theme 'Camaraderie, Cooperation, Collaboration', it drew 42 ships and submarines and 29 aircraft, including 18 ships from friendly foreign countries, with maritime patrol aircraft from France, Germany and the USA. A harbour phase with the International Maritime Seminar was followed by a sea phase of air defence, anti-submarine warfare, maritime interdiction and live firings, aligned with the MAHASAGAR vision. MILAN was launched in 1995 with four navies at Port Blair; in 2026 it was held alongside the International Fleet Review and the IONS Conclave of Chiefs, the first time India conducted the three events together.
Key facts
- Concluded
- 25 February 2026, aboard INS Vikrant off Visakhapatnam
- Theme
- Camaraderie, Cooperation, Collaboration
- Scale
- 42 ships and submarines, 29 aircraft; 18 foreign ships
- MPA from
- France, Germany, USA
- Vision
- MAHASAGAR
- Origin
- 1995, Port Blair, four navies
- Held with
- International Fleet Review 2026 and IONS Conclave of Chiefs
Practice MCQs 4 questions
Aboard which ship was the closing ceremony of Exercise MILAN 2026 held on 25 February 2026?
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Correct answer: A — INS Vikrant
The closing ceremony was held aboard the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant off Visakhapatnam.
What was the theme of Exercise MILAN 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Camaraderie, Cooperation, Collaboration
MILAN 2026 was held under the theme 'Camaraderie, Cooperation, Collaboration'.
How many ships and submarines took part in Exercise MILAN 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 42
MILAN 2026 had 42 ships and submarines and 29 aircraft, including 18 ships from friendly foreign countries.
Consider the following statements about Exercise MILAN: 1. It was launched in 1995 at Port Blair with the participation of four foreign navies. 2. In February 2026, India conducted MILAN, the International Fleet Review and the IONS Conclave of Chiefs simultaneously for the first time. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: PIB notes MILAN was launched in 1995 with four navies at Port Blair, and calls the February 2026 events India's maiden simultaneous conduct of the three.