The Indian Navy’s premier biennial maritime exercise, Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise (TROPEX-25), is currently underway in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), spanning from January to March 2025. This extensive exercise aims to validate the Navy’s core combat capabilities and ensure a synchronized, integrated response to safeguard India’s maritime interests against a spectrum of threats, including conventional, asymmetric, and hybrid challenges.
Comprehensive Phases of TROPEX-25
TROPEX-25 is structured into multiple phases, both in harbor and at sea, encompassing:
Combat Operations: Simulated high-intensity naval warfare scenarios to test and enhance combat readiness.
Cyber and Electronic Warfare Operations: Assessing resilience and response strategies against cyber threats and electronic warfare tactics.
Live Weapon Firings: Real-time deployment of weaponry to validate operational effectiveness.
Amphibious Exercise (AMPHEX): Coordinated land-sea operations to demonstrate and refine amphibious assault capabilities.
Scale of Participation
The exercise witnesses an impressive assembly of assets:
Naval Fleet: Approximately 65 Indian Naval ships and 9 submarines.
Aviation Assets: Over 80 aircraft of various types, including the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, Visakhapatnam and Kolkata-class destroyers, and Kalvari-class submarines.
Air Wing: MiG-29K fighters, P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, HALE Sea Guardian drones, and MH-60R helicopters.
This extensive mobilization underscores the Navy’s commitment to maintaining a high state of operational readiness.
Joint Integration with Sister Services
Emphasizing the essence of jointness, TROPEX-25 integrates assets from the Indian Army, Indian Air Force (IAF), and the Indian Coast Guard:
Indian Army: Deployment of an Infantry Brigade comprising over 600 troops.
Indian Air Force: Participation of aircraft such as Sukhoi-30s, Jaguars, C-130s, flight refuellers, and AWACS.
Indian Coast Guard: Involvement of more than 10 ships and multiple aircraft.
This tri-service synergy ensures a cohesive and unified approach to maritime security.
Strategic Significance
Over the years, TROPEX has evolved in scope and complexity, reflecting the dynamic maritime security environment. TROPEX-25 represents a significant advancement in coordinated planning, precise targeting, and effective joint operations, reinforcing India’s resolve to protect its maritime interests anytime, anywhere, and by any means necessary.
For a visual overview of TROPEX-25, you might find this video informative:
