New Delhi: The Indian Navy’s flagship Theatre Level Operational Exercise (TROPEX) 2025 is currently underway in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), reinforcing India’s maritime security preparedness and joint operational capabilities. Held biennially, TROPEX brings together all operational Indian Naval units along with significant participation from the Indian Army (IA), Indian Air Force (IAF), and Indian Coast Guard (ICG) to validate and refine India’s war-fighting strategies against conventional, asymmetric, and hybrid threats.
The three-month-long exercise, running from January to March 2025, is being conducted in multiple phases both in harbour and at sea, integrating combat operations, cyber and electronic warfare, live weapon firings, and amphibious assault exercises (AMPHEX).
India’s Largest Joint Maritime Exercise
TROPEX 2025 is witnessing the deployment of a formidable fleet, including:
- 65 Indian Naval ships
- 9 submarines
- Over 80 aircraft of various types
The exercise involves advanced operational scenarios, testing the Indian Navy’s Concept of Operations, forward-deployed sustenance, and interoperability with the Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard.
Among the key assets participating in TROPEX 2025 are the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, Visakhapatnam and Kolkata-class destroyers, Kalvari-class submarines, and an air fleet comprising MiG-29K fighters, P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, HALE Sea Guardian drones, and MH-60R helicopters.
Integrated Joint Force Operations
To enhance tri-service coordination, the Indian Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard have been seamlessly integrated into TROPEX 2025. The IAF has deployed Sukhoi-30 MKI, Jaguar strike aircraft, C-130 transport aircraft, flight refuelers, and AWACS surveillance aircraft. The Indian Army has committed an Infantry Brigade with over 600 troops, while the Coast Guard has deployed over 10 ships and aircraft to bolster maritime security efforts.
Strengthening India’s Maritime Security, Anytime, Anywhere, Anyhow
TROPEX 2025 continues to evolve in scope and complexity, reinforcing India’s ability to conduct coordinated planning, precision targeting, and high-intensity combat operations in a dynamic maritime environment. With a focus on credible joint operations and integrated force projection, the exercise serves as a crucial step toward ensuring India’s national maritime security interests in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
