Tri-Services Exercise ‘Trishul 2025’

Why in News ?

• The Tri-services Exercise “Trishul 2025” commenced under the leadership of the Indian Navy, involving the Army, Navy, and Air Force across Rajasthan, Gujarat, and the northern Arabian Sea.
• Aimed at testing joint operational capabilities, interoperability, and network-centric warfare, it marks one of India’s largest integrated defence drills.

Relevance:

• GS-3 (Security | Defence Preparedness):
  • Tri-service jointness and theatre command reforms.
  • Network-centric and multi-domain warfare capabilities.
  • Indigenisation in defence (Arjun, Pinaka, Akash, ALH, INS Vikrant).

Basic Facts

• Exercise Name: Trishul 2025
• Nature: Tri-services joint combat exercise (Army–Navy–Air Force + Coast Guard & Central agencies).
• Duration: 12 days.
• Lead Agency: Western Naval Command (Mumbai).
• Participating Commands:
  • Army: Southern Command
  • Navy: Western Naval Command
  • Air Force: South Western Air Command
• Location: Creek and desert sectors of Rajasthan & Gujarat, extending to northern Arabian Sea.
• Participants: ~20,000 personnel + multiple platforms (tanks, aircraft, ships).

Assets Involved

• Army:
  • Armoured assets: T-90S, Arjun Mk-1A tanks.
  • Artillery & Missile systems: Pinaka, Akash, and BrahMos units.
• Navy:
  • Frigates, destroyers, amphibious platforms (INS Jalashwa, Landing Craft Utility vessels).
  • Carrier-borne operations and coastal defence systems.
• Air Force:
  • Rafale, Su-30MKI, Jaguars, and transport aircraft (C-17, C-130J).
  • Attack & reconnaissance helicopters (Apache, ALH).
• Support Agencies: Coast Guard, BSF, DRDO teams, and electronic warfare specialists.

Key Objectives

1. Enhance Jointness & Interoperability:
   1. Seamless coordination between land, sea, and air assets.
   2. Practice multi-domain operations (MDO) integrating intelligence, cyber, and electronic warfare.
2. Test Network-Centric Warfare Capabilities:
   1. Validate real-time data sharing using Integrated Command and Control Systems (ICCS) and Defence Communication Network (DCN).
3. Operational Readiness in Multi-Theatre Scenario:
   1. Simulate coordinated response to cross-border incursions, maritime blockades, and cyber disruptions.
4. Strengthen Amphibious Warfare Skills:
   1. Conduct beach landings using INS Jalashwa and LCU vessels for rapid force projection.
5. Indigenisation & Technology Validation:
   1. Use of indigenous platforms (Arjun tank, ALH Dhruv, Pinaka, Akash, and INS Vikrant systems).
   2. Testing of AI-enabled command systems, UAVs, and surveillance grids.
6. Integrated ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance):
   1. Joint use of drones, AWACS, maritime patrol aircraft (P-8I), and satellite imagery.

Strategic Significance

• Operational Integration: Strengthens India’s capacity for joint command structures, aligning with theaterisation reforms under the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
• Regional Security: Enhances preparedness for multi-front contingencies — particularly in the Western and maritime theatres.
• Cyber and EW Preparedness: Focuses on electronic warfare resilience, cyber defence, and protection of communication networks.
• Aatmanirbhar Defence: Reinforces India’s indigenisation drive under Atmanirbhar Bharat in Defence.

Relevance in Defence Policy Context

• Supports Theatre Command Transition: Practical validation of joint theatre command concept announced under CDS-led reform agenda.
• Aligns with National Defence Strategy: Integrates tri-service operations as per Integrated Capability Development Plan (ICDP).
• Multi-Domain Synergy: Anticipates future warfare domains — space, cyber, electronic, and information warfare.

Comparative Context

Exercise	Type	Focus Area
Trishul 2025	Tri-services (Domestic)	Integrated joint operations
Dakshin Shakti	Tri-services	Southern theatre, amphibious ops
Gagan Shakti	Air Force-centric	Air domination & readiness
Milan	Multinational Naval	Maritime cooperation
TROPEX	Navy-led	Blue-water operations

Broader Implications

• Strengthens India’s Western Command readiness against evolving threats across the Indo-Pak border and Arabian Sea.
• Enhances joint operational doctrines and decision-making interoperability under real combat simulations.
• Serves as a platform for testing new C4ISR systems, drones, and AI-based surveillance tools.

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