Exercise MILAN 2024

• 01 Mar 2024

Source: PIB

Why in News?

Exercise MILAN 2024 recently concluded with the closing ceremony held aboard the INS Vikrant, marking the end of the Sea Phase off Visakhapatnam.

What is MILAN 2024?

• MILAN 2024 is the 12^th edition of the biennial Multilateral Naval Exercise held at Visakhapatnam, under the aegis of Eastern Naval Command.
  • The central aim of MILAN is to enhance professional interaction between friendly navies and gain experience in multilateral large-force operations at sea.
  • It made a beginning in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 1995. The navies of Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand participated in this edition.
• The 2024 exercise consisted of two phases:
  • Harbour Phase featuring International Maritime Seminar, city parades, tech exhibitions, expert exchanges, youth officer gatherings, and sports events.
    • The International Maritime Seminar was themed ‘Partners across Oceans: Collaboration, Synergy, Growth’
  • Sea Phase involves the participation of ships, and aircraft from friendly nations, Indian Navy's carriers, and other units.

What are the Recent Major Developments Related to the Indian Navy?

• Commissioning of New Ships:
  • INS Vikrant: India's first indigenously-built aircraft carrier, a major milestone in achieving self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
  • INS Mormugao: A stealth guided-missile destroyer, part of the Project 15B for enhancing anti-surface warfare capabilities.
  • INS Vagir: A new Kalvari-class submarine, bolstering the Navy's underwater power.
  • INS Sandhayak: It is the first Survey Vessel Large (SVL) ship commissioned into the Indian Navy recently.
• Recent Acquisition Programs:
  • Project 17A Frigates: Advanced stealth frigates under construction at indigenous shipyards.
  • Project 75I Submarines: Program to build six indigenously-designed submarines with advanced stealth and firepower
• Submarine Rescue Advancements:
  • Acquisition of advanced Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles (DSRVs) by the Indian Navy in 2018 and 2019 from the United Kingdom, enhancing submarine rescue capabilities.
    • India is among the 12 countries possessing this niche technology, highlighting its strategic importance.
  • Also, induction of two indigenous Diving Support Vessels (DSVs) by Hindustan Shipyard Ltd, Visakhapatnam, further strengthened submarine rescue operations.
    • DSRV system's capabilities include locating submarines up to 1,000 metres depth using advanced sonar technology and remotely operated vehicles.

Note

The Indian Navy recently announced that it had successfully engaged a land target with the BrahMos missile at an enhanced range of 900 km.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Prelims:

Q. What is “Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)”, sometimes seen in the news? (2018)

(a) An Israeli radar system

(b) India’s indigenous anti-missile program

(c) An American anti-missile system

(d) A defense collaboration between Japan and South Korea.

Ans: (c)

Q. From which one of the following did India buy the Barak anti-missile defence systems? (2008)

(a) Israel
(b) France 
(c) Russia
(d) USA

Ans: (a)

Q. Which one of the following is the best description of ‘INS Astradharini’, that was in the news recently? (2016)

(a) Amphibious warfare ship
(b) Nuclear-powered submarine 
(c) Torpedo launch and recovery vessel
(d) Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier

Ans: (c)

Exp:

• INS Astradharini is an indigenously built Torpedo Launch and Recovery Vessel. It was commissioned on 6th October 2015.
  • Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.