The MILAN multinational naval exercise kicked off in the Indian port of Visakhapatnam on February 19, with participation of 35 vessels, 50 aircraft and various delegations from over 50 countries. The nine-day exercise will continue until February 27. The in-port phase is from February 19 to 23 and the at-sea phase is from February 24 to 27.
2月19日，“米兰”多国海军演习在印度港口维沙卡帕特南拉开帷幕，有50多个国家、35艘舰艇、50架飞机和各种代表团参加。演习将持续至本月27日，为期9天，19日至23日为港口演习阶段，24日至27日进行海上实兵演习。
As the host, the Indian Navy attaches great importance to this exercise. According to public information, the Indian Navy deployed nearly 20 vessels, including two aircraft carriers, and around 50 aircraft including MiG-29K and P-8I.
作为东道主，印度海军非常重视此次演习。根据公开信息，印度海军出动了两艘航母在内的近20艘舰艇及包括米格-29K、P-8I等50架飞机参与演习。外国前来参演的兵力规模则有15艘舰艇和1架海上巡逻机。
The deployment of two aircraft carriers by India undoubtedly became the highlight of this exercise. Currently, India is the only country in the world to deploy two aircraft carriers simultaneously for the same exercise apart from the US.
印度派出双航母参演无疑成为此次演习的亮点。当今世界，同时派出两艘航母参加同一个演习的国家除了美国，也就只有印度。
Recently, the Indian Navy has crafted several publicity stunts. After the clashes between Houthi militants and the US-UK coalition in the Red Sea, India promptly announced the dispatch of five Indian-version Aegis destroyers to escort ships in the Red Sea and surrounding waters. It's noteworthy that the Indian Navy currently has only six Indian-version Aegis destroyers and the Imphal destroyer is not yet fully operational since its commissioning on December 26, 2023. It can be said that almost all of the Indian Navy's advanced destroyer force was dispatched this time. Two aircraft carriers were dispatched to the multinational joint military exercise this time and the Indian Navy has earned enough in terms of vanity and reality.
最近印度海军已连刷了几波存在感：先是胡塞武装和英美联军在红海大打出手后，印度随即宣布派出五艘印度版“宙斯盾”战舰在红海及周边海域护航，要知道印度海军目前只有六艘印度版“宙斯盾”战舰，其中 “因帕尔”号在2023年12月26日服役，还未形成战斗力，可以说此次印度海军护航先进驱逐舰力量几乎是倾巢出动。这次多国联合军演又出动了两艘航母，为了“面子”，也为了“里子”，赚足了眼球。
In terms of vanity, India, as the host of the MILAN multinational naval exercise, has approximately 50 participating countries this year, demonstrating a significant gathering. Deploying all of its two aircraft carriers for the exercise not only demonstrates the host's commitment but also serves as a platform for showcasing the strength of the Indian Navy. With the induction of its homegrown nuclear submarines, the Vikrant aircraft carrier, the Indian version of Aegis destroyers, and indigenous frigates, along with the acquisition of foreign aircraft carriers, new conventional submarines, and anti-submarine patrol aircraft, the Indian Navy has significantly enhanced its capabilities compared to a decade ago. The MILAN multinational naval exercise is evidently an important stage for the Indian Navy to showcase its strength.
在“面子”方面，印度是“米兰”多国联合军演的东道主，今年参演的国家有大概50个，可谓声势浩大，出动家里唯二的航母参加军演既表明东道主对演习的重视，也可以借机展示印度海军的实力。随着印度国产核潜艇、“维克兰特”号航母、印度版“宙斯盾”战舰、国产护卫舰的入役，再加上外购的航母、新型常规潜艇以及反潜巡逻机等先进装备，相对于十年前的印度海军，实力已经有了很大提升，“米兰”多国联合军演显然是印度海军展示实力的一个重要舞台。
The enhancement of naval power also brings India closer to its "great power" dream. In recent years, India's foreign policy has adjusted, actively aligning with the US to build a small circle and participating in the Quad, and creating border hotspots to counterbalance neighboring powers. Despite speculations that India might abandon its "strategic autonomy," actions such as continuing to purchase Russian oil and weapons, and conducting independent naval operations for escorting ships in the Red Sea instead of joining US-led coalitions after the Russia-Ukraine conflict indicate that India is making choices based on its own interests, rather than blindly following the US. This military exercise invited not only countries such as the US, Japan, and Australia, which are gradually getting closer to India but also Russia, which many Western countries have rejected, as well as many Third World countries. India used this occasion to demonstrate its status as a great power.
海军实力的提升也让印度离“大国梦”更近了一点。近年来，印度外交政策有所调整，积极跟随美国打造“小圈子”，美日印澳“四国机制”、制造边境热点牵制周边大国，外界一度猜测印度可能放弃“战略自主”。但从俄乌冲突后继续购买俄罗斯石油以及武器装备、红海护航没有参加美国的护航联盟而是派舰单独行动等举动来看，印度并不想成为美国的“跟班”，而是根据自身利益作出选择。此次军演既邀请了关系逐步走近的美国、日本和澳大利亚等国，也邀请了西方多国排斥的俄罗斯，此外还有众多第三世界国家，印度借此展示了自己的大国地位。
In terms of reality, the Indian Navy hopes to speed up the efforts to make the Vikrant aircraft carrier fully combat-ready through multinational exercises like MILAN. The Vikrant aircraft carrier returned to the shipyard for phased array radar installation in July last year and completed the installation around November. The MILAN multinational naval exercise is evidently an opportunity for training. Meanwhile, deploying the Vikrant aircraft carrier allows troops on board to gain more experience and enhance their capabilities.
在“里子”方面，印度海军希望借多国联合军演让“维克兰特”号航母早点形成真正的全面战斗力，该航母在去年7月返回船厂安装相控阵雷达，11月左右才完成安装计划，达到完全体状态。“米兰”多国联合军演显然是一个练兵的机会，派出“维克兰特”号航母可以让舰上官兵多“见见世面”，在演习中提升能力。
In addition, sending two aircraft carriers is also aimed at increasing public support for India's third aircraft carrier plan. India has long aspired to have three aircraft carriers, with one deployed in the eastern and western Indian Ocean regions respectively, while the third serves as a backup. However, due to various reasons, this dream has yet to materialize. Before the Vikrant aircraft carrier was commissioned, the Indian Navy proposed the second aircraft carrier Vishal with a displacement of over 60,000 tons and equipped with advanced equipment like electromagnetic catapults. However, due to significant technological challenges, this proposal has not been approved. In light of this, the Indian Navy has shifted its focus to a follow-on vessel to Vikrant, which would share the primary design and be more feasible in terms of technology and cost. India currently plans to allocate a budget of USD 4.8 billion for the second aircraft carrier, and if the plan is approved this year, the construction time is expected to be significantly shorter compared to that of the first aircraft carrier, potentially allowing the Indian Navy to possess three aircraft carriers for a period.
印度海军派出双航母参演也是为了该航母在国人面前多“露露脸”，让更多的民众支持印度海军的第三艘航母计划。印度一直希望能拥有三艘航母，以便于在印度洋东西两个方向各部署一艘，同时还有一艘航母用于轮换和替补，但是由于各种原因，迟迟未能圆梦。在“维克兰特”号航母还未服役之前，印度海军就提出国产第二艘航母“维沙尔”号计划，排水量超过6万吨，配备电磁弹射器等一众先进装备，但由于技术跨度过大，没有获批。在这种情况下，印度海军退而求其次，开始寻求“维克兰特”的二号舰，延续主要设计，无论是技术跨度还是成本都能够接受。印度目前计划为第二艘航母编列48亿美元预算，如果今年顺利获批，建造时间应该会比第一艘航母大为缩减，很可能让印度海军在一段时间内拥有三艘航母。
Editor's note: Originally published on the paper.cn, this article is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information and opinions in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn.
