Rafale and Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets, BrahMos and Akash missile systems, Prachand attack helicopters, T-90S and Arjun main battle tanks, Indian Navy warships, including Kolkata-class destroyers and Nilgiri-class frigates, and more than 20,000 troops are part of the large-scale wargames of Indian security forces—Exercise Trishul—being conducted across diverse terrain and mission spectrums in the Western sector.
Around 20-25 Navy ships, over 40 fighter aircraft, and other supporting aircraft are part of the exercise.
The wargames, happening a few months after Operation Sindoor, is aimed at boosting the interoperability, coordination, and mission preparedness of the Indian Army, Air Force and Navy. The initial phase of the exercise is being led by the Indian Navy, followed by the Army. The Indian Air Force will lead the concluding phase of the exercise.
The Southern Army Command, the Western Command of the Navy and the South-Western Air Command are participating in the complex multi-domain exercise, the largest after Op Sindoor.
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According to the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS), the exercise would demonstrate Tri-Services synergy and hold integrated operations across diverse terrain and mission spectrums. The exercise "exemplifies India’s resolve to safeguard its borders through the spirit of #JAI – Jointness, Atmanirbharta and Innovation," HQ IDS said in a tweet, adding, "It reaffirms the Indian Armed Forces’ commitment to building a #TechEnabled and #FutureReadyForce, capable of deterring and winning wars in Integrated Multi-Domain environments."
A senior defence official has been quoted as saying that the exercise highlights the growing focus that the country gives to joint planning, integrated command structures, and combat readiness of the forces to tackle the evolving security challanges.
Independent OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence) expert Damien Symon, in a tweet, said Pakistan issued a naval navigational warning for a firing exercise in the same area that India has an airspace reservation for its ongoing tri-services military drills. This follows the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by Pakistan a few days ago.
"While they geographically overlap, coordination between both sides would likely ensure things remain professional without any incident," the tweet by Damien Symon read.
India had already issued a notification for an exercise involving the IAF across its entire northeastern region bordering China, Bhutan, Myanmar and Bangladesh.