A show of strength and synergy in a complex world – Firstpost

The Indian Navy has once again commenced its flagship event, the Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise, or, in abbreviation, TROPEX, in the year 2025, and it is confident of displaying the desired level of military skill in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). This exercise, held from January to March 2025, takes place every alternate year. It showcases India’s naval prowess and scope while also highlighting the contextual relevance and significance of these military activities.

TROPEX 2025

The canvas of operations for TROPEX 2025 includes a comprehensive deployment of more than 65 Navy vessels, nine submarines, and more than 80 fixed and rotary-wing aircraft. The primary goal of the exercise is to ensure core warfighting competencies’ readiness to respond to multiple threat forms, such as responsive, non-conventional, and hybrid ones. The exercise integrates combat operations across the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard, validating the concept of joint warfare in modern conflict scenarios.

It is carried out in multiple stages, including a Harbour Phase with planning, logistics, and briefings, followed by a Sea Phase where complicated maritime operations are performed. These operations incorporate combat rounds, cyber and electronic warfare (EW) exercises, live weapon firing, and an amphibious (seamless integration of land and sea forces) exercise dubbed AMPHEX.

Historical Outlook

TROPEX has a history with rich narratives since its establishment in 2005. While the exercise had modest comprehensiveness to begin with, it has gradually evolved and expanded in scope and magnitude. Past iterations illustrate:

TROPEX 2005 was held by the Western Naval Command, and it dealt with the focus of combat readiness and tactics on the coastal waters of Goa.

TROPEX 2006 managed to demonstrate amphibious warfare capabilities vis-à-vis the conducted exercise. Of note is the second phase, during which the Indian Army, backed by the Indian Navy, carried out a beach assault on the state of Goa, which saw a successful beachhead captured. This event not only illustrated training cooperation amongst the different branches of the Indian armed forces but also their capability to achieve battle purposes through the appropriation of joint resources from the sea to the land.

TROPEX 2007, on the other hand, was characterised by wide participation of all three services with an emphasis on live weapon firing and new forms of conducting operations.

TROPEX 2009 concentrated on the amphibious operations on Madhavpur-Ghed Beach in the state of Gujarat, which also included substantial troop movements.

TROPEX 2010 Live Firing: During this phase of TROPEX 2010, conducted on the eastern seaboard of India, the focus was on integrating various military units into live weapon engagements. Surface force mock engagement was performed by major surface combatants during the exercise, including the carrier INS Viraat, while the supporting units displayed the operating art of the Navy.

TROPEX 2014 Satellite Utilisation: During TROPEX 2014, the Indian Navy, for the first time, validated its network-centric warfare capabilities by leveraging the features of satellite GSAT-7, which had just been launched. This was a milestone towards proving India’s support in the naval operations space.

TROPEX 2015 Two-Carrier Operations: Remembered most for the simultaneous deployment of dual aircraft carrier battle groups spearheaded by INS Vikramaditya and INS Viraat, TROPEX 2015 showcased an Indian operational capability of multi-carrier sea operations. This exercise served to enhance the Navy’s offensive capabilities in all areas of warfare, including net-centric warfare.

TROPEX 2021 Weapon Workup Phase: In the Weapon Workup Phase of TROPEX 2021, some highlighted events included successful target-specific strikes such as missile, torpedo, and aerial rocket drops from frontline ships, aircraft, and subs. This phase was aimed at demonstrating deadly blows available to the Navy and long-range maritime patrol assault power in the Indo-Pacific. The exercise focused on combat readiness testing covering vast areas in the Indian Ocean Region to project assertively, protect, and/or destroy capabilities.

TROPEX 2025 Senior Leadership Participation: The most recent TROPEX 2025 edition saw senior military commanders, such as Vice Chiefs of the Navy and Air Force, boarding INS Vikrant for the joint phase of the exercise. In an instance of jointness in the Armed Forces, Air Marshal SP Dharkar flew aboard a MiG-29KUB trainer.

Each edition of TROPEX has transitioned the Indian Navy’s operational preparedness towards new paradigms for emerging threats and incorporated new lessons from previous exercises. To achieve operational readiness, some exercises have included Sea Vigil (coastal defence) and amphibious operations’ AMPHEX (amphibious operations), which are pertinent to naval operations as a whole.

Strategic Implications

TROPEX 2025 is relevant for India’s military not only from India’s defence perspective but also for its posture in the Indo-Pacific region:

Power Projection: Arms India with the capability to project power within and beyond its borders. The projection of power in the expanded maritime domain is a quintessential pillar of its maritime strategy.

Joint Operations: Facilitates various branches of the armed forces to work together, which is vital for contemporary wars.

Defying Regional Challenges: While China’s growing naval footprint in the region raises concerns, TROPEX demonstrates India’s ability and preparedness to keep the seas safe.

The exercise offers a unique opportunity for the Indian Navy to experiment and validate its operational concepts in a hostile environment. This enables the navy to stay at the forefront of naval warfighting technology and strategy, ensuring it remains a formidable force.

As TROPEX 2025 progresses, it not only showcases the prowess of the Indian Navy but also reflects India’s continued shift in its military strategy to remain in sync with the global and regional security environments. The exercise, built on a culture of readiness and learning, continues to be a vital part of India’s defence system, supporting a safe maritime environment in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond.

Manan Bhatt is a veteran of the Indian Navy and an author. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.