Context:
• India has initiated a large-scale tri-Service military exercise, ‘Trishul’, along the western border with Pakistan, strengthening joint operational preparedness across the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
• The exercise began on 30 October and will continue until 10 November, covering large areas of Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Key Highlights
- Major Tri-Service Exercise Begins
- Exercise ‘Trishul’ commenced on October 30 along the Pakistan border.
- Involves all three Services — Army, Navy, Air Force — to test integrated warfighting capabilities.
- Geographic Spread
- Conducted across strategic sectors of Gujarat and Rajasthan, adjoining the western frontier.
- Joint Operational Focus
- Emphasis on joint operations, interoperability, communications, and coordinated mission command.
- Pakistan’s Reaction
- Pakistan pre-emptively announced changes in flight routes for the Karachi and Lahore FIR before the drill — a standard precaution during large-scale exercises.
Significance
- Aim of the Exercise
- To enhance coordination and mission readiness among the three Services.
- Strengthens the ability to conduct integrated operations in a high-threat environment along an active border.
- Phased Operational Design
- The Indian Navy led the opening phase of Trishul.
- Subsequently, the Army and Indian Air Force take charge to test ground–air–maritime synchronization.
- Strategic Importance
- Tri-Service drills improve:
• Response time
• Combat readiness
• Joint situational awareness
• Interoperability among forces - Validates integrated operational plans (IOPs) crucial under the upcoming theaterisation reforms.
- Enhancing Preparedness
- Tests logistics, joint communication grids, surveillance systems, and precision-strike capabilities.
- Ensures forces remain prepared for varied threat scenarios along the western border.
Prelims Focus
- Major Indian military exercises (e.g., Trishul, Gagan Shakti, Vayu Shakti, Tropex).
Mains Relevance
GS 3 – Internal Security
- Border security & western theatre preparedness
- Jointness in armed forces
- Inter-Service coordination reforms
- Strategic signalling to adversaries