India’s tri-service military commanders gathered aboard the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant to observe high-intensity nighttime joint operations along the country’s western coast. The visit was a significant step toward fostering closer integration among the three-armed services.
The exercise TROPEX-25 showcased the coordinated capabilities of the Navy, Army, and Indian Air Force (IAF). This extensive drill included a range of joint operations, such as amphibious landings, which involved deploying troops and equipment onto designated coastal zones.
On the night of January 30, senior military leaders, including Chief of Integrated Defence Staff Lt Gen Johnson P Mathew, Army Vice Chief Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani, Navy Vice Chief Vice Admiral K Swaminathan, IAF Vice Chief Air Marshal SP Dharkar, and Army Director General Infantry Lt Gen Ajay Kumar, were present on board.
A standout moment came when IAF Vice Chief Air Marshal Dharkar flew aboard a Navy MiG-29K fighter jet. Taking off from the deck of INS Vikrant, the aircraft conducted a nighttime sortie over the sea, symbolizing the close cooperation between the Air Force and Navy.
The senior officers observed the joint phase of TROPEX-25, designed to test and enhance inter-service coordination. The exercise included simulated airstrikes, anti-submarine warfare drills, and amphibious operations, offering a comprehensive assessment of joint readiness to respond to threats.
As part of the event, the commanders also reviewed the amphibious warfare exercise AMPHEX, which focused on beach landings and other complex manoeuvres involving all three services. A closed-door briefing in the carrier’s war room provided an opportunity to evaluate operational tactics and discuss strategies for future collaboration.
A momentous occasion!
Lt Gen Johnson P Mathew #CISC, Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani #VCOAS, VAdm K Swaminathan #VCNS, Air Marshal SP Dharkar #VCAS and Lt Gen Ajay Kumar, DG Infantry embarked @IN_R11Vikrant off the West coast on #30Jan, to witness Joint Phase of #TROPEX25. The visit… pic.twitter.com/Yg4PBo98Lx
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) January 31, 2025
The visit underscored the importance of seamless coordination across the services, especially as India progresses toward implementing theatre commands—a concept aimed at integrating the wartime efforts of all three forces within specified geographic regions into unified commands.
By spending the night at sea, the officers gained firsthand insights into naval operations and the challenges of multi-domain warfare. Exercises like TROPEX-25 and AMPHEX validate the armed forces’ operational readiness and exemplify their commitment to safeguarding India’s maritime and territorial interests.
Team BharatShakti
