Exercise ‘Trishul’ tests indigenous systems, joint warfare readiness

A tri-services exercise, ‘Trishul’, aimed at testing indigenous systems and addressing emerging threats and the evolving character of contemporary and future warfare, concluded today.

The exercise, which began on November 3, featured large-scale operations along the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan and Gujarat, alongside maritime and amphibious operations in the North Arabian Sea near the Sir Creek area.

Conducted under the Navy’s lead, ‘Trishul’ focused on refining joint operational procedures in coordination with the Army and the Indian Air Force. The Indian Coast Guard, Border Security Force and other central agencies also participated to ensure integrated operations.

A key focus of the exercise was to enhance synergy among the armed forces and to validate and synchronise integrated operational procedures across the three Services, enabling seamless joint operations.

The objectives included improving interoperability of platforms and infrastructure, strengthening network integration across Services, and advancing jointness in operations. The exercise also validated joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) procedures, as well as electronic warfare (EW) and cyberwarfare plans. The Navy’s aircraft carrier conducted joint operations with shore-based Indian Air Force assets to facilitate the exchange of best practices and validation of air operation procedures.

Under the umbrella of ‘Trishul’, the Army and the IAF conducted their own sub-exercises. The Army hosted Exercise ‘Brahmashira’ in the Kutch region with participation from the Navy, IAF, Coast Guard and the BSF. The Army’s Southern Command carried out Exercise ‘Akhand Prahaar’ across the deserts, serving as a real-time testbed for next-generation indigenous technologies such as drones, unmanned systems, counter-drone systems and electronic warfare grids.

The Army also conducted Exercise ‘Maru Jwala’ in joint airborne operations with the IAF. The IAF, in turn, conducted Exercise ‘MahaGujRaj-25’ to validate its capability to deliver the full spectrum of air operations and campaigns, featuring real-time joint operations with the Army and Navy and validation of operational and maintenance readiness.