HMAS Warramunga has completed the sea phase of Exercise Milan in the Bay of Bengal, ending five days of high‑end maritime training alongside international partners.
Hosted biennially by the Indian Navy, Milan is a major multilateral maritime engagement that has evolved since 1995 into a key forum for regional naval cooperation.
It brings together participating ships, aircraft and personnel from across the Indo Pacific and beyond.
The Royal Australian Navy has participated in every iteration since 2003, reflecting Australia's long‑standing commitment to regional security and a stable, rules‑based maritime order.
Commanding Officer Warramunga Commander Ken Brown said the activity highlighted the depth and growing sophistication of the Australia-India defence relationship.
"Since 2014, Australia and India have more than tripled the frequency of our defence exercises, engagements and activities," Commander Brown said.
"This partnership delivers tangible benefits to Indo‑Pacific security by safeguarding vital sea lines of communication and enhancing our collective ability to respond to both traditional and non‑traditional maritime threats."
Throughout the sea phase, participating navies conducted a series of complex and advanced maritime serials. These included rapid anti‑air drone engagements, a replenishment at sea with INS Shakti and cross‑deck aviation operations.
Warramunga's embarked MH-60R Seahawk helicopter landed on INS Himgiri, while Indian Navy Sea King and MH‑60R Seahawk helicopters reciprocated with deck landings on Warramunga.
In a significant milestone, a Royal Australian Navy aircraft landed for the first time on India's domestically built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant.
Royal Australian Navy MH-60R pilot Lieutenant Barton Heeney said the achievement reflected the professionalism of both crews.
"INS Vikrant is an impressive platform, supported by an exceptionally capable and well‑drilled deck team," Lieutenant Heeney said.
"Conducting this evolution together demonstrates the high level of trust and interoperability between our navies, and it was a privilege to be part of it."
With 74 nations represented, Milan was the largest iteration in the exercise's history, highlighting its growing importance as a platform for cooperation, professional exchange and shared maritime understanding.
