Source : The Times of India
VISAKHAPATNAM: The Indian Navy plans to deploy both its aircraft carriers-INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, to the Eastern Seaboard in Vizag during Milan-2024. Vizag city will be hosting Milan-2024, the flagship international Naval Exercise, from February 19 to 27 in 2024 under the aegis of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) of Indian Navy.
The aircraft carriers INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant were the centrepieces of the exercise serve as floating sovereign airfields providing a launch platform for a wide array of aircraft.
Indian Navy to deploy aircraft carriers INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant for MILAN-2024 in Vizag
Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag-Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) ENC, said that the command will also be hosting the second edition of exercise MILAN at Visakhapatnam in February next year.This event is likely to witness participation from nearly 50 friendly countries as a delegation and 20 foreign warships along with one maritime patrol aircraft.
An international maritime seminar, tabletop exercises, demonstration of the Indian Navy’s deep submergence rescue Vessel, a multilateral exercise at sea, a city parade and a host of other social and cultural events are some of the highlights of MILAN 2024. These joint drills will also highlight the Navy’s expanding role in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) as a first responder and preferred security partner. Presence and operational reach by the Indian Navy through Mission Based Deployments and other operational engagements has steadily enhanced, Rajesh Pendharkar added.
To a question on increasing Chinese forays into the Indian Ocean Region, Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar said China may have legitimate reason to be present in the IOR for economic activities. The Indian Navy keeps on eye on what all is happening there and tries to maintain surveillance of the extra regional forces in this region, he added.
Milan-2022 was conducted in Visakhapatnam from 25 February 25 to March 4 in 2022 and witnessed participation from 40 countries. Navies from the US, Japan, Australia, France, Bangladesh, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia are set to be among the participating nations in the ‘Milan-2024 exercise to be conducted off Visakhapatnam in next year. The upcoming exercise will be the biggest multilateral military wargame to be hosted by India ever and it will feature large-force manoeuvres, advanced air defence operations, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface drills.
