Indian Navy to host MILAN in March 2020 in Vizag

The Eastern Naval Command (ENC) of Indian Navy will be hosting the MILAN-2020, a multilateral naval exercise in Visakhapatnam in March 2020. Apart from a large number of ships, senior dignitaries are expected to partake in various functions and visit the naval facilities.

Chief of ENC, vice-admiral Atul Kumar Jain on Thursday said that the MILAN series of biennial exercises which commenced in 1995, was conducted at Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) until last year, is being conducted for the first time on the mainland at ENC with increased scope and complexity in the exercises. He urged everyone to prepare earnestly for the mega event which would be a historic occasion for the Indian Navy and the city of Visakhapatnam like it was done during International Fleet Review (IFR) on Feb 2016.

Invitations have been sent to the chiefs of 42 Navies across the world.

On the occasion of 73rd Independence Day, a ceremonial parade was held at the ENC at INS Circars Parade Ground in Vizag city. The parade comprised of platoons of naval personnel drawn from various ships and establishments, Defence Security Corps and Sea Cadet Corps.

Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain took the salute and inspected a 50-men armed guard. Vice Admiral Jain emphasised that as primary custodians of maritime security, we need to do our utmost in providing a favourable maritime environment for the country’s economic growth and prosperity by making the Indian Navy combat-ready, credible and a cohesive force capable of meeting present and future challenges.

He reminded everyone present that with the changing security dynamics, maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is very vital and therefore, the responsibility of everyone in ENC to be prepared to face challenges from traditional and non-traditional asymmetric threats.