Indian Navy’s multilateral Milan Exercise to take place next month

The Indian Navy is getting ready for the largest ever multilateral `Milan’ exercise which has been scheduled for the end of February, 2022. More than 40 plus navies from across the globe are expected to enter the Indian waters starting next month.

This time besides the member countries of the QUAD (Japan, the US and Australia), the member nations of AUKUS (the UK, Australia & the US) too are going to be participating in this drill which is going to be all about interoperability and jointness in the waters. “The focus will also be on ensuring the sea lanes are open and freedom of navigation. This is important as there is no stopping China which continues its bullying tactics in the Indian Ocean Region waters as well as providing assistance to neighbouring countries,” explained a senior officer.

There are reports about China recently delivering Type 035B Ming Class (diesel-electric) submarine to the Myanmar Navy. India too has given one submarine to Myanmar. The delivery of the submarine came a day after India’s Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla had visited that country (December 24, 2021). China had provided Ming Class submarines to the Bangladesh Navy.

In 2020, that India had transferred a Russian origin Kilo class submarine INS Sindhuvir from its fleet to Myanmar. Myanmar named as UMS Min Ye Thein Kha.