Indian Navy's TROPEX 25: Massive Military Drill Underway in Indian Ocean
India’s Largest Naval Exercise Showcases Combat Readiness with Multi-Force Participation
Savitha
The Indian Navy's flagship Theatre Level Operational Exercise (TROPEX) 2025 is currently in full swing in the Indian Ocean Region. Conducted biennially, this large-scale military drill features participation from all operational Indian Navy units alongside substantial contributions from the Indian Army, Indian Air Force (IAF), and the Indian Coast Guard.
Objective and Scope: TROPEX 25 aims to validate the Indian Navy’s core warfighting capabilities while ensuring a synchronized, integrated response to safeguard India’s maritime security in an evolving threat landscape, encompassing conventional, asymmetric, and hybrid challenges.
The exercise, spanning three months from January to March 2025, is being executed in multiple phases—both in harbor and at sea—integrating combat operations, cyber and electronic warfare, and live weapon firings during the Joint Work-Up Phase and Amphibious Exercise (AMPHEX).
Scale and Assets Involved: TROPEX 25 is one of the largest maritime drills, with approximately 65 Indian Navy warships, 9 submarines, and over 80 aircraft undergoing rigorous combat scenarios. The exercise is crucial for refining operational doctrines, including forward deployment sustenance and interoperability with other military services.
Notably, key assets like the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, Visakhapatnam and Kolkata-class destroyers, Kalvari-class submarines, and advanced aircraft including MiG-29K fighters, P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, HALE Sea Guardian drones, and MH-60R helicopters are actively engaged.
Joint Operations and Integration: To enhance tri-service synergy, the Indian Army, IAF, and Indian Coast Guard are deeply integrated into TROPEX 25. The IAF has deployed Sukhoi-30 and Jaguar fighter jets, C-130 transport aircraft, flight refuellers, and AWACS surveillance platforms. Additionally, an Infantry Brigade with over 600 troops, along with more than 10 Indian Coast Guard ships and aircraft, is part of the extensive exercise.
Strategic Significance: Having evolved in scale and complexity, TROPEX 25 underscores India’s commitment to maritime dominance and operational readiness. The exercise reinforces India’s ability to conduct high-intensity, multi-domain joint military operations, ensuring the security of national maritime interests anytime, anywhere.
