Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise (TROPEX-25) displays India’s Maritime Might

The Indian Navy’s Theatre Level Operational Exercise (TROPEX) is a significant military drill that involves the capabilities of the Indian Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard. The 2025 edition, TROPEX-25, has been conducted in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) from January to March. This drill is vital for validating the Indian Navy’s central warfighting ability and ensuring an integrated response to potential threats in a complex maritime environment.

TROPEX-25 aims to evaluate and enhance the Indian Navy’s combat readiness by testing its operational preparedness against conventional and hybrid threats. The exercise also ensures a synchronised approach to safeguarding national maritime security by involving the Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Bringing the combined participation of multiple services fosters a cohesive and joint operational framework, making interoperability a vital component of this exercise. By combining various military branches, TROPEX-25 enhanced the effectiveness of combat operations and strategic planning in the real world.

The exercise is conducted in various phases, each focusing on different operational aspects. The Harbour Phase is dedicated to tactical planning, coordination, and briefings among participating units before transitioning to active operations in the Indian Ocean. The Sea Phase involves naval forces in real-time combat situations. The drill also integrates cyber and AI-based warfare operations to counter modern digital threats, ensuring that India remains prepared for technological challenges in maritime security. Moreover, live weapon firings evaluate the accuracy of multiple weapon systems under operational conditions. The Amphibious Exercise (AMPHEX) focuses on coordinated land-sea operations, where naval forces collaborate with Army troops for amphibious landings and coastal defence drills. TROPEX-25 involved extensive participation from almost all the branches of the Indian defence services. The Indian Navy deployed a powerful fleet, including 65 warships, nine submarines, and over 80 aircraft. Significant assets included the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, state-of-the-art Visakhapatnam and Kolkata Class destroyers, and Kalvari Class submarines. The Indian Air Force contributed fighter jets such as the Sukhoi-30 and Jaguar aircraft, early warning aircraft (AWACS), and transport planes like the C-130 and IL-78 mid-air refuelers. The Indian Army deployed a complete Infantry Brigade of over 600 troops, enhancing joint operations. The Indian Coast Guard also played a critical role, contributing more than 10 ships and aircraft to maritime operations.

TROPEX-25 sends a signal to the Indo-Pacific region, particularly in response to China’s rising naval presence in the IOR. It displays India’s ability to counter possible hostile moves with a forceful, networked military response. For India’s partners in the Quad (United States, Japan, and Australia), TROPEX-25 illustrated India’s commitment to regional maritime stability and security. The exercise confirms the Indian Navy’s capacity to carry out intricate, well-coordinated operations amid changing naval conditions. The integration of  (AI), autonomous systems, and cyber warfare abilities underscores India’s readiness for future wars and the changing nature of contemporary naval warfare. The exercise strengthens India’s capability to identify, monitor, and react to threats in the Indian Ocean in real time. The strategic objectives of TROPEX-25 were to enhance coordination, validate combat effectiveness, and improve cyber and electronic warfare training.

 The exercise ensures interoperability between different branches of the armed forces, aligning with India’s larger goal of establishing integrated theatre commands. By testing operational readiness against threats, TROPEX-25 strengthens India’s deterrence capabilities, including AMPHEX, which bolsters India’s multi-domain military capabilities, especially in coastal and island defence. 

The concept of Theatre Command is central to India’s evolving military strategy, and TROPEX-25 provided an ideal opportunity to test its efficacy. Theatre Command refers to the unification of different branches of the armed forces under a single command for more streamlined operations. This transition will improve resource allocation, enable faster decision-making, and ensure coordinated action during conflicts. TROPEX-25 contributed to this transition by facilitating joint exercises that require coordination between the Navy, Army, and Air Force. 

Live-fire exercises during TROPEX-25 have further validated the efficiency of missile and torpedo systems. The drill showcased India’s blue-water naval capability, demonstrating its ability to project power far beyond its shores. With assets like INS Vikrant and state-of-the-art destroyers, India highlights its growing self-reliance in defence technology by utilising indigenous warships, submarines, and aircraft. 

As the largest and most comprehensive operational drill in the Indian Ocean Region, TROPEX-25 reinforced India’s ability to respond to emerging threats and maintain strategic dominance by integrating cutting-edge indigenous technology, advanced warfighting skills, and inter-service coordination.