In a major display of India's defense strength, senior military officers boarded Indian Navy ships off the West Coast from January 30 to 31, 2025, to observe the Joint Phase of the Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise (TROPEX-25). The exercise, which involves the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard, aimed to test and showcase the country’s military readiness and ability to work together in various situations.
The senior officers included Lieutenant General Johnson P. Mathew, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC); Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani, Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS); Vice Admiral K. Swaminathan, Vice Chief of Naval Staff (VCNS); Air Marshal SP Dharkar, Vice Chief of Air Staff (VCAS); and Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar, Director General Infantry. They boarded several ships, including the aircraft transport INS Vikrant, the guided missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam, the stealth frigate INS Satpura, and the Landing Platform Dock INS Jalashwa, to witness the operations and readiness of India’s armed forces.
One of the highlights of the exercise was the Amphibious Landing, where Indian Army troops practiced landing operations on enemy shores. Onboard INS Vikrant, the officers saw fighter jets and helicopters in action, with demonstrations that included bomb drops, rocket firing, and aerobatics.
On INS Jalashwa, the officers watched the Army soldiers and Navy Commandos carry out a series of amphibious landing drills. These included breaking through bunkers, jumping from planes in combat, and landing troops and vehicles on the shore using specialized boats. The operation successfully demonstrated the forces’ ability to take control of a beachhead.
The officers also met with Navy sailors and Army personnel during a meal, congratulating them on their efforts in handling challenges in the Indian Ocean. They were given detailed briefings on the exercise's strategies and operations.
Additionally, the officers visited the Naval Base at Karwar, where they were informed about the ongoing construction of new facilities to support future naval operations.
TROPEX-25 is the Indian Navy’s largest exercise, held every two years, to improve coordination among the armed forces and to test readiness in case of threats in the Indian Ocean Region. It is an important exercise to ensure that India’s military forces are prepared for any challenges that may arise. (PR)