NEW DELHI: As geopolitical tensions rise across the Indo-Pacific, Indian Navy’s Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise (TROPEX) 2025 emerges as a defining statement of India’s maritime ambitions. Conducted between January and March, TROPEX 2025 is India’s most extensive maritime drill, designed to assess operational readiness and project strategic intent.
The exercise integrates naval, air, and ground assets, reflecting India’s evolving maritime strength. With its expanded operational scope, emphasis on joint-force synergy, and technological sophistication, TROPEX 2025 highlights India’s growing role in the Indo-Pacific region.
TROPEX 2025 features a formidable assembly of 65 frontline Indian Navy ships, including the aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. Supporting these capital ships are nine submarines, notably the Kalvari-class Scorpene boats, known for their stealth and precision. The aerial component involves over 80 aircraft, including MiG-29K fighter jets, P-8I Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, and MH-60R Seahawks, which bolster maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
Indian Air Force (IAF) assets such as Su-30 MKIs, Jaguars, AWACS, C-130s, and aerial refuelers ensure air-sea battle synchronisation. The integration of advanced UAV platforms enhances surveillance capabilities, signalling the Navy’s transition toward modern warfare. Additionally, 600+ troops from the Indian Army’s Infantry Brigade participate in amphibious operations, reflecting enhanced tri-service coordination. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is critical in supporting maritime law enforcement and domain awareness.
Behind the operational phase of TROPEX lies meticulous strategic planning. The Flag Officer Doctrine and Concepts (FODC) office, pivotal in developing operational frameworks, oversees the conceptual aspects of the exercise. Before deployment, the Maritime Warfare Centres conduct extensive simulations using artificial intelligence (AI)-driven warfighting models, testing scenarios such as operating under cyber-contested environments, projecting power over extended durations and countering asymmetric maritime threats.
These simulations incorporate cyber defence strategies and AI-enabled decision-making processes. The Indian Navy’s focus on technological innovation has become increasingly vital, given the rapid development of cyber warfare capabilities by global adversaries. Cyberattacks targeting naval communication and navigation systems could have severe consequences, and TROPEX 2025 prepares the Navy to counter such scenarios effectively.
The exercise unfolds in structured phases: command post rehearsals, fleet workups, and full-spectrum combat scenarios, ensuring operational cohesion. The inclusion of cyber defence drills and electronic warfare simulations addresses emerging non-traditional threats, showcasing the Navy’s ability to adapt to evolving maritime security challenges.
TROPEX 2025 is a battle laboratory where the Indian Navy validates its evolving Concept of Operations (CONOPS). Integrating AI-powered decision-making frameworks, real-time satellite communications, and advanced AMPHEX amphibious exercises signals India’s readiness to sustain operations in distant waters, a key capability for any blue-water navy.
Senior military commanders’ participation further highlights the strategic significance of TROPEX. Tri-services
TROPEX 2025 unfolds at a time when China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is trying to make its presence felt in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Chinese surveillance vessels operating near India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and strategic footholds at ports like Gwadar, Djibouti, and Hambantota have raised security concerns. TROPEX serves as India’s strategic response, projecting its ability to ensure regional maritime stability.
The exercise refines the forward deployment concept, which is crucial for maintaining operational readiness far from domestic shores. Embedded cyber warfare simulations, electronic jamming drills, and AI-enhanced decision-making tools ensure India remains prepared to counter both conventional and non-traditional threats. Furthermore, the deployment of carrier battle groups underscores India’s capacity to project power in high-stakes operational environments.
A defining aspect of TROPEX 2025 is its emphasis on joint-force operations. The seamless integration of the Indian Navy, Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard highlights India’s commitment to holistic maritime security. Amphibious operations involving coordinated assaults from sea to shore demonstrate India’s capability to execute complex joint missions—an essential component of contemporary warfare.
These operations also serve as preparation for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) missions, which are increasingly critical in the Indo-Pacific. As climate change exacerbates natural disasters in the region, India’s ability to respond swiftly and decisively enhances its role as a responsible maritime power.
TROPEX 2025 is more than an operational exercise; it represents India’s maritime resolve. As competition in the Indo-Pacific intensifies, India’s quiet yet decisive naval manoeuvres signal its readiness to uphold regional security. The exercise validates operational doctrines and reaffirms India’s commitment to maintaining open sea lanes governed by international law.
TROPEX 2025 is a beacon of India’s evolving maritime vision with its comprehensive scope, technological advancements, and tri-service integration. The enhanced participation of all service branches, integration of advanced technologies, and strategic focus on multi-domain operations ensure that India’s naval shield remains steady, silent, and ready to secure the seas anytime, anywhere, and anyhow.