Myanmar joins international fleet review, MILAN exercise in India

1 MARCH 2026

 

THE Tatmadaw naval vessel Aung Zeya led by Commodore Kyaw Swa Htet arrived back in Yangon yesterday after joining the International Fleet Review 2026 (IFR 2026) and MILAN 2026 in Visakhapatnam, India, from 15 to 25 February.

 

The naval vessel left Yangon on 11 February to join IFR 2026 and MILAN 2026, and arrived in India at noon on 14 February.

 

Indian President Mr Droupadi Murmu attended the IFR2026, which was also joined by the Myanmar delegation led by Chief of Staff (Navy) Vice-Admiral Aye Min Htwe.

 

Senior naval officers from 74 countries, along with warships from international, regional, and neighbouring navies, attended the ceremony. In connection with these events, a delegation led by the Chief of Staff (Navy) also participated in the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium and the Goa Maritime Conclave.

 

The frigate Aung Zeya took part in the International Fleet Review (IFR 2026) held on 18 February. It also attended the opening ceremony of the multinational naval exercise MILAN-2026, conducted from 19 to 25 February. During the port phase, it participated in the International Maritime Seminar together with 74 countries, engaged in mutual ship visits, attended subject matter expert discussions, observed a demonstration of an underwater search and rescue vessel system, and joined city tour programmes.

 

Moreover, the members took part in a military parade with international naval personnel, conducted junior officer exchanges, competed in friendly sports events, and paid visits to Agra and Bodh Gaya for sightseeing and religious observation. They also participated in a gala dinner programme featuring traditional cultural dance performances. The ship also joined coordinated at-sea practical exercises together with international naval vessels.

 

The naval ship, Aung Zeya, sailed a total of 2,377.4 nautical miles during the voyage and successfully participated in the IFR-2026 and MILAN-2026. — MNA/KTZH