Context:
India is set to conduct a tri-service military exercise ‘Poorvi Prachand Prahar’ at Mechuka, Arunachal Pradesh, aimed at strengthening multi-domain operational readiness along the eastern frontier.
Key Highlights:
Nature of the Exercise:
• It is a tri-service military exercise involving the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force.
• Conceived as a forward-looking operational drill.
• Focuses on validating multi-domain integration across land, air, and maritime domains.
Location Significance:
• To be conducted in Mechuka, Arunachal Pradesh — a strategically sensitive area near the India-China border.
• High-altitude terrain provides realistic operational conditions.
Aim and Objectives:
• Enhance warfighting capabilities.
• Improve technological adaptation in modern warfare.
• Strengthen operational synergy among the three services.
• Refine interoperability and improve situational awareness.
• Validate command-and-control (C2) structures for joint missions.
Operational Focus:
• Coordinated employment of:
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Special Forces
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Unmanned platforms (UAVs/ drones)
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Precision strike systems
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Networked Operations Centres
• Conducted under realistic high-altitude conditions.
Previous Related Exercises:
• ‘Bhala Prahar’ (2023)
• ‘Poorvi Prahar’ (2024)
• ‘Poorvi Prachand Prahar’ represents the next phase in evolving joint military preparedness.
Relevant Prelims Points:
• Tri-Service Exercise: Involves coordinated operations of Army, Navy, and Air Force under joint command structures.
• Multi-Domain Warfare (MDW):
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Integration of land, air, sea, cyber, and space domains.
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Focus on network-centric warfare and real-time intelligence sharing.
• Mechuka (Arunachal Pradesh):
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Located in Shi-Yomi district.
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Close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.
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Strategically significant for India’s eastern theatre command preparedness.
• Issue & Causes:
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Rising border tensions with China.
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Need for jointness and theatre-level integration.
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Evolution of warfare towards technology-driven, high-intensity conflicts.
• Government Initiatives Toward Jointness:
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Creation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
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Establishment of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA).
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Proposed Theatre Commands.
• Benefits:
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Improved operational readiness.
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Enhanced force multiplier effects.
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Faster decision-making via integrated C2 systems.
• Challenges:
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Inter-service doctrinal differences.
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Infrastructure constraints in high-altitude terrain.
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Technological integration gaps.
• Impact:
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Strengthens India’s deterrence posture in the eastern sector.
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Signals preparedness amid evolving Indo-Pacific security dynamics.
Relevant Mains Points:
• Jointness in Armed Forces:
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Mandated under reforms initiated after the Kargil Review Committee.
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Role of CDS in promoting integrated capability development.
• Concept of Multi-Domain Operations (MDO):
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Simultaneous application of capabilities across domains.
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Emphasis on information dominance, precision strike, and networked warfare.
• Strategic Significance of Arunachal Pradesh:
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Subject to territorial claims by China (referred to as “South Tibet” by China).
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Critical for India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific strategy.
• Technological Integration:
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Use of UAVs, precision-guided munitions, ISR systems (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance).
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Importance of Artificial Intelligence and cyber capabilities in future warfare.
• Institutional Mechanisms:
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Department of Military Affairs (DMA) under Ministry of Defence.
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Push for Theatre Command restructuring.
• Strategic Implications:
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Enhances India’s ability to respond to two-front war scenarios.
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Demonstrates operational preparedness along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
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Strengthens deterrence and rapid mobilization capability.
Way Forward:
• Accelerate establishment of integrated theatre commands.
• Invest in indigenous defence technology under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• Enhance logistics and infrastructure development in border areas.
• Promote continuous joint training and doctrinal alignment.
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
• GS Paper II: Security challenges and defence reforms.
• GS Paper III: Internal security, defence technology, border management.
• Prelims: Locations, military exercises, defence reforms, CDS, multi-domain warfare.