72 Countries and 60 Warships Participate in International Fleet Review and MILAN Exercise 2026 in Visakhapatnam
en01.web.id – India. A total of 72 countries and around 60 warships are taking part in the International Fleet Review (IFR) and the multilateral naval exercise MILAN 2026 hosted by the Indian Navy in the coastal city of Visakhapatnam. The main series of events is scheduled to run from February 15 to February 25, 2026, making it one of the largest international naval gatherings in recent years aimed at strengthening global maritime security cooperation.
The development began with a diplomatic defense initiative formulated by the Indian Navy in mid-2025, when formal invitations were circulated to dozens of partner nations to join IFR and MILAN 2026. The official announcement was released on February 13, 2026, by India’s Ministry of Defence, outlining the objective of enhancing maritime collaboration and interoperability among navies operating across the Indo-Pacific and other strategic sea lanes.
Following the issuance of invitations, numerous countries from Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas confirmed participation. Major naval powers, including the United States and Russia, agreed to deploy warships, underscoring the importance of the forum as a platform for maritime security cooperation despite broader geopolitical rivalries.
The chronology progressed as foreign naval vessels began arriving in phases at Visakhapatnam’s naval harbor in early February 2026. Each arrival was marked by formal receptions, logistical coordination, and operational briefings conducted by Indian naval authorities. These preparatory stages signaled the commencement of IFR-related activities, culminating in a ceremonial fleet review parade designed to symbolize naval diplomacy and mutual trust among participating nations.
The main operational phase will begin on February 15, 2026, featuring a fleet review ceremony, joint tactical drills, maritime rescue simulations, and professional exchanges among naval officers. The MILAN exercise will emphasize coordinated responses to transnational maritime threats such as piracy, trafficking, and disruptions to critical sea lines of communication that support global trade.
Chief of the Naval Staff of India, Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, stated in an official release in Visakhapatnam on February 13, 2026, that the event represents a key platform for cooperative maritime engagement.
“MILAN and the International Fleet Review provide an opportunity for the world’s navies to enhance interoperability, exchange operational experiences, and collectively contribute to maritime stability,” he said in the ministry’s formal statement.
The rationale behind hosting IFR and MILAN 2026 lies in the growing complexity of maritime security challenges affecting international waters that serve as vital arteries of global commerce. With roughly 90 percent of world trade transported by sea, maintaining secure and open shipping routes has become a strategic priority for many nations. The joint exercise is intended to improve preparedness for crisis scenarios and strengthen coordinated maritime responses.
Overall, the participation of 72 countries and 60 warships in IFR and MILAN 2026 reflects an evolving model of naval diplomacy centered on collaboration rather than confrontation. The sequence of events—from the issuance of invitations in 2025, the official announcement on February 13, 2026, to the scheduled exercises between February 15 and 25, 2026—demonstrates how the initiative developed into a large-scale international maritime engagement aimed at reinforcing global naval cooperation and stability.
Tim Redaksi
(rd/ks/jk)