Iranian Destroyer Dena Joins Multinational Naval Drills MILAN-2026 in India

The Iranian Navy has deployed its destroyer Dena to the Indian Ocean to take part in the multinational naval exercise MILAN-2026, hosted by India. The vessel has arrived at the port of Visakhapatnam on the Bay of Bengal.

The drills coincide with a major gathering of naval leaders in the city for the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS). Iran's Navy Chief, Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, attended the IONS conclave and the opening ceremony for the exercises on Friday.

IONS is a cooperative initiative established by India in 2008, bringing together navies from across the region. Iran is one of its 25 member states, alongside observer nations including Russia, China, Japan, and several European countries. During the conclave, India formally took over the two-year rotating chairmanship of the symposium from Thailand.

The MILAN exercise, held biennially, aims to build professional relationships between participating navies, facilitate the sharing of operational expertise, and enhance coordination on maritime security matters.

In statements during the event, Admiral Irani emphasized Iran's commitment to maritime security through international cooperation. He held separate meetings with his counterparts from South Africa and Sri Lanka on the sidelines of the IONS meeting.

In discussions with South African Navy Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, Irani expressed Tehran's readiness to share its technical and operational naval experience. Vice Admiral Lobese acknowledged that such cooperation is vital for security along key sea routes and regional stability, praising Iran's active role in international exercises as a sign of a responsible approach.

Meeting with Sri Lankan Navy Commander Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, Admiral Irani outlined marine diplomacy as a central pillar of Iranian naval strategy. He stated Iran's desire to strengthen ties with friendly nations in the Indian Ocean region through joint training and exercises. Commander Banagoda echoed the call for enhanced cooperation among Indian Ocean littoral states, highlighting the ocean's critical role in global security.