US, Russia to participate in ‘Milan’, India’s largest naval exercise, amid Ukraine tensions

Despite escalating tensions between the US and Russia over the situation in Ukraine, both countries are slated to participate in India’s largest joint maritime military exercise at the end of February.

As per The Times of India, sources have confirmed the participation of Russia and the US in the exercise, called ‘Milan’, which will be held off Vishakhapatnam between February 25 and March 4.

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“There is no geopolitics involved in the Milan exercise, which has the theme of ‘Camaraderie, Cohesion, Collaboration’ to promote collective responsibilities of maritime security for ensuring safe and secure seas,” a source told TOI.

“Milan and the President’s Fleet Review (PFR), which will also be held at Vizag on February 21, are two mega events being organized by the Navy to celebrate 75 years of India’s Independence,” the source further added.

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TOI further reported that the US would send the USS Port Royal, a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, for the Milan exercise, but it is unclear whether Russia will send warships or naval personnel.

The exercise will have two phases – the ‘harbour phase’ and the ‘sea phase’. The former will span from February 25 to 28, and will see several seminars, parades, and military demonstrations take place. The ‘sea phase’, meanwhile, will see the participating navies engage in intense combat manoeuvres with a focus on anti-submarine warfare.

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The Milan exercise in 2022, India’s largest maritime military exercise, will see participation from around 40 countries, out of the 45 invited, which include US, UK, Russia, France, Japan, South Korea, Israel, Australia, Iran, UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Oman among others.

The first Milan exercise was held in 1995 in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the first edition of the event saw participation from Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. It has since grown leaps and bounds in terms of participation.