The forthcoming large-scale Tri-service Military ‘Exercise Kavach’, due to be held under the aegis of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) in January 2021, has been in the news recently. This military exercise will be conducted by the ANC, which stands as India’s only Joint Forces Command and is the first integrated theatre command in the country, situated at Port Blair.
Participation in the Exercise
The premier participants of this military exercise include the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, and Indian Coast Guard. These forces join hands every year to carry out this massive display of India’s military power.
Features of Exercise Kavach
‘Exercise Kavach’ is marked by its synergised application of maritime surveillance assets, coordinated air and maritime strikes, air defence, submarine, and landing operations. In these operations, the joint force carries out high-intensity offensive and defensive manoeuvres in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal. The primary aim of this tri-services exercise is to fine-tune joint war-fighting capabilities and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) with the goal of enhancing operational synergy among the forces.
Significance of the Exercise
The successful execution of ‘Exercise Kavach’ signals the preparedness of all participating agencies in dealing with asymmetric threats. These are unconventional strategies and tactics employed by a military force during warfare. Successfully overcoming such threats in a controlled environment boosts the confidence and capability of the forces.
Need for Such Exercises
The necessity for exercises like ‘Exercise Kavach’ is underlined by past security lapses on India’s maritime borders. Notably, the 1993 Bombay Bombings and the 2008 Mumbai Attacks were attributed to poorly guarded maritime borders. These exercises foster better vigilance and readiness among the forces to prevent such incidents.
Other Exercises for Coastal Security
In addition to ‘Exercise Kavach’, there are other military exercises conducted for bolstering coastal security. Exercise ‘Sea Vigil’ is one such venture dedicated to maintaining strict vigilance along India’s extensive coastline. Another significant exercise is Tropex (Theatre-level Readiness Operational Exercise) which the Indian Navy conducts biennially. Its goal is similar to ‘Exercise Kavach’, aiming at enhancing readiness and operational efficiency of the forces in the theatre of operations.
Exercises like ‘Kavach’, ‘Sea Vigil’, and ‘Tropex’ play a crucial role in strengthening India’s military capabilities and readiness. These strategic operations, carried out under the ANC’s guidance, elevate India’s position in terms of defence preparedness and coordination between different military forces.
