The MILAN Opening Ceremony was held on 19 February 2026 at the Samudrika Auditorium, Naval Base, Visakhapatnam marking the formal commencement of the Multilateral Naval Exercise, MILAN 26. Shri Rajnath Singh, Hon'ble Raksha Mantri addressed the gathering as the chief guest.
Date
Time
Venue
Dress Code
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India
Thailand
France
Iran
Bangladesh
Australia
South Africa
United Arab Emirates
India
Date 18 Feb 2026
Location Visakhapatnam
Countries Participated 74
Reviewed By
Smt Droupadi Murmu
Date 21 Feb 2022
Location Visakhapatnam
No of Ships Participated 59
Reviewed By
Shri Ram Nath Kovind
Date 06 Feb 2016
Location Visakhapatnam
Countries Participated 50
Reviewed By
Shri Pranab Mukherjee
Date 19 Dec 2011
Location Mumbai
No of Ships Participated 66
Reviewed By
Smt Pratibha Patil
Date 12 Feb 2006
Location Visakhapatnam
No of Ships Participated 66
Reviewed By
Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Date 17 Feb 2001
Location Mumbai
Countries Participated 20
Reviewed By
Dr K. R. Narayanan
Date 09 Mar 1997
Location Mumbai (Bombay)
No of Ships Participated 34
Reviewed By
Shri Shankar Dayal
Sharma
Date 15 Feb 1989
Location Bombay (Mumbai)
No of Ships Participated 68
Reviewed By
Shri R. Venkataraman
Date 12 Feb 1984
Location Bombay (Mumbai)
No of Ships Participated 59
Reviewed By
Shri Giani Zail Singh
Date 11 Jan 1976
Location Bombay (Mumbai)
No of Ships Participated 54
Reviewed By
Shri Fakhruddin
Ali Ahmed
Date 28 Dec 1969
Location Bombay (Mumbai)
No of Ships Participated 59
Reviewed By
Dr V. V. Giri
Date 10 Feb 1966
Location Bombay (Mumbai)
No of Ships Participated 10
Reviewed By
Dr S. Radhakrishnan
Date 20 April 1964
Location Bombay (Mumbai)
No of Ships Participated 52
Reviewed By
Shri Y. B. Chavan
(Defence Minister)
Date 10 Oct 1953
Location Bombay (Mumbai)
No of Ships Participated 33
Reviewed By
Dr Rajendra Prasad
Date 15 - 25 February 2026
Location Visakhapatnam
Countries Participated 74
Date Feburary 2024
Location Visakhapatnam
Countries Participated 47
Date 25 Feburary - 04 March 2022
Location Visakhapatnam
Countries Participated 40
Not held due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Date March 2018
Location Port Blair
Countries Participated 16
Not held due to International Fleet Review 2016.
Date Feburary 2014
Location Port Blair
Countries Participated 16
Date Feburary 2012
Location Port Blair
Countries Participated 13
Date Feburary 2010
Location Port Blair
Countries Participated 08
Date January 2008
Location Port Blair
Countries Participated 08
Date January 2006
Location Port Blair
Countries Participated 08
Date Feburary 2003
Location Port Blair
Countries Participated 08
Not held due to International Fleet Review 2001
Date March 1999
Location Port Blair & Kochi
Countries Participated 06
Date Feburary 1997
Location Port Blair
Countries Participated 06
Date Feburary 1995
Location Port Blair
Countries Participated 04
Greetings to our friends and partners from across the seas!
For nearly three decades, the Indian Navy’s flagship events the International Fleet Review (IFR) and MILAN have brought together maritime nations in a spirit of cooperation. We look forward to welcoming you to the 2026 concurrent editions at Visakhapatnam from 15 - 25 February 2026.
Guided by the themes 'United through Oceans’ for IFR and "Camaraderie, Cooperation, Collaboration" for MILAN, this edition will showcase professional exchanges, operational drills and cultural celebrations.
The 2026 edition will provide participants with valuable opportunities to share operational insights in harbour, hone professional skills at sea, strengthen camaraderie on the sports fields and immerse themselves in the richness of Indian culture.
In harbour, the programme will feature Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE) and the International Maritime Seminar (IMS), enabling dialogue on shared maritime challenges, opportunities and priorities. For young officers, activities will include cross-deck visits, ship-handling simulator training, Damage Control and NBC simulator training and demonstration of submarine rescue capabilities by a Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV). These engagements will strengthen our collective ability to generate credible and coordinated responses at sea. During the sea phase, participating units will conduct a wide spectrum of operational drills in multinational groupings - carrier operations, seamanship evolutions, weapon firings, anti-submarine warfare, air defence drills and tactical manoeuvres.
Complementing the professional exchanges, the event will also feature cultural and recreational activities, including Sports competitions, tours, social events and the spectacular International City Parade celebrating our shared maritime heritage. Together, these will offer a balanced blend of professional enrichment, operational engagement and cultural immersion for all esteemed delegates and participants from across the world.
It is fitting that we gather at Visakhapatnam, the City of Destiny, for an event that strengthens our bonds of friendship across the oceans. The Indian Navy eagerly awaits your presence for a professionally rewarding and culturally enriching experience.
Saṃ No Varuṇa! — May the Lord of Oceans be auspicious unto us.
