Exercise Trishul boosts joint military strength

India’s armed forces have emerged “much stronger and more integrated” after completing Exercise Trishul, a massive two-week tri-service drill that tested the limits of joint warfare readiness across land, sea, and air, top commanders said on Thursday.

The exercise, which culminated with the final amphibious operation Amphex 2025 at Madhavpur Beach off the Saurashtra coast in Gujarat, showcased the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force working in seamless coordination to enhance interoperability and combat preparedness.

Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command; Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command; and Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Air Command, jointly addressed the media ahead of the closing phase.

“Exercise Trishul has set a new benchmark in jointness, integration, and interoperability. We are ready to face all future challenges,” said Lt Gen Seth, emphasizing that several new weapons, technologies, and operational procedures were validated during the drills.

Vice Admiral Swaminathan highlighted the scale of participation around 30,000 Army personnel, nearly 25 Navy ships and submarines, and multiple fighter aircraft, including those from India’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, which formed part of a Carrier Battle Group operation.

“We’ve practised complex battle manoeuvres and multi-domain operations. The experience has made us stronger and more cohesive,” the Western Naval Command chief added.

Earlier, the three senior commanders jointly boarded INS Vikrant to review coordinated multi-domain missions under Exercise Trishul, including carrier-borne flying operations and underway replenishment.

From the Thar Desert to the Kutch region, Exercise Trishul marked a new milestone in India’s evolving approach to integrated warfare underscoring the nation’s growing focus on joint readiness to respond swiftly to emerging security challenges.