Thursday 14 / November / 2024
Visakhapatnam: The 12th edition of the MILAN exercise will be held from February 19 to 27 in Visakhapatnam and will see the participation of over 50 countries.
The theme of the exercise is "Forging Naval Alliances For a Secure Maritime Future."
"12th edition of the #MILAN exercise to be held at #Visakhapatnam 19 - 27 Feb 24 aims to provide a platform for the participating navies to share ideas to enhance #security on the high seas & ensure safety of #maritime commerce for growth & prosperity of all," the Indian Navy posted on X.
As per an official press release, the exercise will be held in two phases.
In the Harbour Phase from February 19-23, the major highlights include the International City Parade, International Maritime Seminar, Maritime Tech Expo, MILAN Village, Subject Matter Expert Exchange and Table Top Exercise.
During the Sea Phase, participating navies will conduct advanced Air Defence, anti-submarine and Anti Surface Warfare drills. Gunnery shoots on aerial and surface targets, manoeuvers and underway replenishment would also be conducted.
"MILAN would be an excellent platform for the participating navies to share ideas to enhance security on the high seas and ensure safety of maritime commerce for growth and prosperity of all. In addition to building bridges of friendship and strengthening of relationship, Sea exercise would enhance interoperability, enable exchange of best practices and will boost confidence to undertake missions together in the future, to tackle common challenges," the release added.
To show its support, India, for the first time, explicitly called for adherence not only to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) but also to the 2016 Arbitral Award in the Joint Statement issued in June 2023. On the other hand, the United States has strengthened its relations with Vietnam and the Philippines.
The United States and Vietnam elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership on 10 September 2023.
This strengthened position with the United States and India by the Philippines and Vietnam could make China even more wary.
With the increasing tension in the South China Sea between the Philippines and China in the Second Thomas Shoal beginning of this year, there is a high chance of de-escalation.
The Philippines' Coast Guard (PCG) has accused China of "dangerous and blocking" manoeuvres while its vessel patrolled near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.
By actively engaging in events like MILAN, countries can strengthen their ties and build trust, which are essential for maintaining peace and security.
Information Sharing: MILAN provides a platform for sharing maritime security information, intelligence, and best practices. Full participation from ASEAN countries allows for a comprehensive exchange of information regarding common security threats such as piracy, terrorism, and illegal trafficking, thereby enhancing the collective ability to address these challenges effectively.
Capacity Building: Participation in MILAN offers opportunities for capacity building in areas such as maritime law enforcement, search and rescue operations, and disaster response. By engaging in exercises and workshops during the event, ASEAN countries can improve their capabilities and readiness to respond to security threats in the maritime domain.
