Rajnath Singh inaugurates Exercise MILAN 2026 at Visakhapatnam with 74 nations, its largest edition
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Indian Navy's multilateral Exercise MILAN 2026 at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on 19 February 2026, with navy chiefs and delegations from 74 countries.
Summary
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Indian Navy's multilateral Exercise MILAN 2026 at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on 19 February 2026, with navy chiefs and delegations from 74 countries â the largest edition to date. He said the UNCLOS legal framework can be strengthened through a comprehensive global naval architecture and called India a trusted 'Vishwa-Mitra', citing the evolution of the PM's vision from SAGAR to MAHASAGAR. The exercise, held under the theme 'Camaraderie, Cooperation, Collaboration', involved 42 ships and submarines and 29 aircraft and concluded on 25 February aboard INS Vikrant. Static link: MILAN began in 1995 at Sri Vijaya Puram (then Port Blair) as a small gathering of friendly navies.
Key facts
- Date and place
- 19 February 2026, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
- Inaugurated by
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
- Participation
- 74 countries â largest edition
- Theme
- Camaraderie, Cooperation, Collaboration
- Assets
- 42 ships and submarines, 29 aircraft
- First edition
- 1995, Sri Vijaya Puram (then Port Blair)
- Concluded
- 25 February 2026 aboard INS Vikrant
Practice MCQs 3 questions
How many countries took part in Exercise MILAN 2026, inaugurated at Visakhapatnam on 19 February 2026?
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Correct answer: C â 74
Navy chiefs and delegations from 74 countries took part, making it the largest MILAN to date.
What was the theme of Exercise MILAN 2026?
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Correct answer: A â Camaraderie, Cooperation, Collaboration
MILAN 2026 was held under the theme 'Camaraderie, Cooperation, Collaboration'.
Consider the following statements about Exercise MILAN: 1. It began in 1995 at Port Blair (now Sri Vijaya Puram). 2. The 2026 edition concluded with a closing ceremony aboard INS Vikrant. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C â Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The Defence Minister recalled MILAN's start in 1995 at Sri Vijaya Puram (then Port Blair), and the 2026 edition closed aboard INS Vikrant on 25 February.