Amidst the reverberations of MILAN 2024’s Sea Phase, a convergence of maritime prowess unfolded in a distinctive manner in New Delhi. Engaging over 50 nations, this rendition of MILAN boasted 35 units, encompassing ships, submarines, and aircraft. Furthermore, friendly foreign contingents contributed 13 ships and an aircraft to the maritime spectacle.
The grand finale of the Sea Phase materialized through an unconventional Closing Ceremony. In this exclusive affair, all 35 participating units rendezvoused off Visakhapatnam, anchoring in a display of unity. The Commanding Officers then congregated aboard the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant for deliberations, as elucidated by an official proclamation.
The Indian Navy’s dynamic involvement featured both INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, epitomizing indigenous naval prowess. “In the realm of surface, sub-surface, and air warfare, encompassing asymmetrical threats, all units engaged in a series of intricate and advanced maneuvers,” articulated the official statement.
These intricate exercises included surface firings, intricate anti-aircraft drills, advanced anti-submarine warfare coordinated with Indian Navy submarines, air defense maneuvers against fighter jets, extensive operations of ship-borne helicopters, and maritime evolutions such as refueling from Indian Navy tankers.
The climactic moment of the concluding ceremony encompassed a comprehensive debrief on the operational facets of the Sea Phase. This facilitated an interactive platform for participating navies to exchange perspectives, fostering mutual understanding and interoperability through the exchange of experiences and best practices, as detailed in the statement.
The participants in the MILAN 2024 Sea Phase were immersed in a repertoire of advanced exercises, spanning the triad of maritime warfare dimensions. These activities featured weapon firings against surface and high-velocity aerial targets, anti-submarine warfare, cross-deck landings, carrier operations, and seamanship evolutions, including replenishment at sea.
Beyond the strategic maneuvers, the MILAN 2024 Sea Phase stands as a testament to the commitment of participating nations in championing peace, stability, and interoperability in the maritime domain. As the global audience observed, a unified front of naval forces actively forged connections, fortifying global maritime security, as accentuated in the release.