The Indian Navy has officially announced live firing exercises in the Arabian Sea scheduled from June 8 to 11, 2025, through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM). This initiative marks the second such naval operation in the Arabian Sea this year amidst escalating regional and global tensions.
In recent weeks, the Indian Navy has ramped up its maritime surveillance and readiness operations within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The intensity of these exercises is evident, particularly following a previous operation conducted just a month earlier, from May 3 to 7, which occurred 85 nautical miles away from an area where Pakistan’s Navy was simultaneously engaged in its own exercises. This coincided with heightened tensions following the tragic April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack that resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians.
The backdrop of the upcoming naval drills is underlined by a precarious international security situation. On June 1, Ukraine executed a large-scale drone offensive targeting Russian airbases, prompting a retaliatory strike by Russia on a Ukrainian military training facility that killed at least 12 soldiers. This series of aggressive actions has heightened alarms among NATO allies, particularly after Russia’s recent testing of its Oreshnik hypersonic missile, designed to potentially carry nuclear payloads and to elude conventional defense systems.
Strategically, India’s naval drills are being viewed as a significant facet of its defense posture. The country has maintained close military relations with Russia, bolstered by the 2021–2031 Military Technical Cooperation Agreement initiated during the first India-Russia 2+2 Dialogue. Recent acquisitions, such as the Russian-made Container-S (29B6) radar system, which enhances capabilities for detecting stealth aircraft and missiles, underscore this deepening military partnership.
Military analysts interpret India’s naval activities as serving dual purposes: reinforcing defensive measures while simultaneously delivering strategic messages. As the global order shifts towards multipolarity, India is navigating its defense alliances carefully, balancing a robust partnership with Russia while managing strategic ambiguity amidst NATO’s evolving dynamics.
The notification of these exercises follows a high-level meeting on May 3 between Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi aimed at reviewing operational preparedness, although specific outcomes of that meeting were not disclosed.
In light of the live firing exercises, commercial vessels have been cautioned to steer clear of the designated firing zone during the drill period. While the Navy has not provided details on the operational specifics, these exercises are perceived as a strong indication of India’s maritime readiness and its commitment to asserting strategic autonomy in a rapidly changing and unpredictable global environment.
