The biennial Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise (TROPEX 21) which is the largest war game of the Indian Navy is presently underway. TROPEX 21 began in early January and presently has the participation of all operational units of the Indian Navy, Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and Coast Guard.
Key Points
- The exercise will conclude by the third week of February.
- The exercise is being conducted over a vast geographical expanse in the Indian Ocean Region including its adjunct waters.
- The exercise aims to test the combat readiness of the Indian Navy in complex scenarios.
- The exercise also aims to promote peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region, validate Navy’s offensive-defense capabilities and safeguard national interests in the maritime domain.
- The exercise is being overseen by Naval Headquarters with participation from all three Commands of the Indian Navy and the Tri-Services Command at Port Blair.
- TROPEX also has different phases. In the first phase, the Indian Navy had conducted coastal defence exercise ‘Sea Vigil’ along the entire coastline and Island territories of India from January 12-13, 2021. This exercise validated the coastal defence setup of the country which has been improved after the 26/11 Terror attacks at Mumbai.
- Indian Navy, Marine Police of 13 coastal States and UTs, Coast Guard, and other stakeholders participated in the exercise.
- Sea Vigil was followed by Tri-Service joint amphibious exercise AMPHEX-21.
- AMPHEX-21 was conducted from 21-25 January in the Andaman and Nicobar group of Islands.
- AMPHEX-21 validated the capabilities of the country to safeguard the territorial integrity of its Island territories and to enhance joint warfighting capabilities amongst the three Services.
The Weapon Workup Phase of TROPEX also concluded recently. It saw multiple ‘on-target’ ordnance deliveries including torpedoes, missiles, and rockets from frontline submarines, warships, and aircraft. It also showcased the lethal firepower of the Indian Navy and its capability to carry out long-range maritime strikes in the Indian Ocean Region.
