India has launched Exercise ‘Trishul’, a significant tri-Service military drill along its western border with Pakistan, aimed at demonstrating the operational capabilities and strategic readiness of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Kicking off on October 30 and set to run until November 10, the large-scale exercise is taking place across the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan. The primary objective is to improve interoperability, coordination, and readiness for missions among the three services in a joint operational setting.
The exercise is structured in phases, with the Indian Navy leading the initial stage. This will be followed by the Indian Army, which will take charge of the second phase, while the Indian Air Force (IAF) will wrap up the exercise. Additionally, the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Indian Coast Guard are also involved, highlighting India’s integrated approach to national security and coastal defense.
More than 20,000 troops are participating in Exercise Trishul, supported by advanced equipment including T-90S Bhishma and Arjun Mk-II tanks, attack helicopters, and state-of-the-art fighter aircraft such as Rafale and Sukhoi-30MKI. The deployment also features missile systems and naval vessels, including frigates and destroyers. The exercise will focus on joint strike missions, coordinated ground-to-air assaults, and real-time information exchange between land, sea, and air platforms, simulating comprehensive combat scenarios.
A senior defense official emphasized that Exercise Trishul reflects India’s increasing emphasis on joint planning and integrated command structures, crucial for tackling contemporary security challenges. The exercise illustrates India’s move towards a unified theatre command framework designed to ensure smooth coordination across armed forces in times of war and crises.
This drill occurs against a backdrop of heightened regional activity. Prior to the exercise’s initiation, Pakistan made changes to several flight routes affecting its Karachi and Lahore regions, a precautionary step amid the large-scale Indian maneuvers.
Earlier in the month, on October 2, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh issued a stern warning to Pakistan regarding any provocative actions in the Sir Creek area, stating that any aggression would be met with a decisive response that could alter both history and geography.
Exercise Trishul serves as a demonstration of India’s capability to conduct integrated, high-intensity operations across multiple domains—land, air, and sea—within the western theater. It reinforces India’s commitment to maintaining operational readiness, enhancing joint-force synergy, and ensuring credible deterrence in the protection of national interests and territorial integrity.
