Bot at 17:23, 15 July 2022

2022-07-15T17:23:48Z

New page

{{short description|Inter-service military exercise}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
[[File:INS Vikramaditya at anchorage off Kochi, with INS Viraat in the background during TROPEX 2015.jpg|300px|thumb|{{INS|Vikramaditya}} at anchor off Kochi, with {{INS|Viraat}} in the background during TROPEX 2015]]

'''Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise''' ('''TROPEX''') is an [[Jointness and integration in the Indian military|inter-service]] [[military exercise]] involving the participation of the [[Indian Army]], [[Indian Air Force|Air Force]], [[Indian Navy|Navy]] and the [[Indian Coast Guard|Coast Guard]]. The exercise generally commences at the beginning of each year and lasts a month. It is generally carried out in three phrases: independent workup phase, joint workup phase and tactical phase.

The exercise is designed to test the combat readiness of the Indian naval units, as well as the [[Indian Air Force]], [[Indian Army]] and the [[Indian Coast Guard]].<ref name="indianexpress">{{Cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/indias-inter-service-military-exercise-tropex-kicks-off-4494692/ |title=India's inter-service military exercise 'Tropex' kicks off |access-date=8 February 2017 |work=The Indian Express |agency=Press Trust of India |publication-date=27 January 2022}}</ref> It also seeks to strengthen interoperability and joint operations in a complex environment.<ref name="indianexpress"/>

Beginning in 2005, the exercise has been held annually, with the exception of 2016 and 2018. The last edition of the exercise was conducted in 2021.

==History==
=== TROPEX 2005 ===
TROPEX 2005 was conducted by the Indian Navy's Western Naval Command off the Goa coast.<ref name="Tropex 05">{{Cite news |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/oldStory/68294/ |title=Goa naval base to be ready for MiG-29Ks |last=Nayak |first=Raju |access-date=6 August 2018 |work=The Indian Express |publication-date=13 April 2022}}</ref> It commenced in April 2005 and involved units of the Indian Navy, Army, Air Force and Coast Guard.<ref name="Annual Report Year 2005 - 2006">{{Cite web |url=https://mod.gov.in/sites/default/files/MOD-English2006.pdf |title=Annual Report Year 2005 – 2006 |publisher=Ministry of Defence |page=34}}</ref> The exercise included weapon firings and evaluation of various combat tactics.<ref name="Annual Report Year 2005 - 2006 " /> Vice Admiral Madanjit Singh, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief (FOC-in-C) Western Naval Command, witnessed the exercise.<ref name="Tropex 05" />

=== TROPEX 2006 ===
TROPEX 2006 commenced on 5 April 2006 and continued until 26 April 2006. The exercise was conducted off the western seaboard of India.<ref name="Annual Report">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sqrfAAAAMAAJ&q=Exercise+TROPEX |title=Annual Report |publisher=Ministry of Defence |year=2006 |page=29}}</ref> It included a joint workup phase from 5 to 11 April, comprising both fleets. This was followed by a deployment and tactical phase which commenced on 12 April and continued until 21 April 2006.<ref name="Annual Report"/> On 21 April 2006, an Indian naval missile corvette [[INS Prahar (K98)|''Prahar'']], collided with a [[merchant vessel]] Rajiv Gandhi head-on and sank about three hours after the collision about ten nautical miles off [[Mormugao]] port in [[Goa]].<ref name="ins prahar sinks">{{Cite news |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-navy-s-missile-boat-sinks-1025468 |title=Navy's missile boat sinks |last1=Iyengar |first1=Pushpa |access-date=5 September 2015 |work=[[Daily News and Analysis]] |last2=Joseph |first2=Josy |publication-date=22 April 2022}}</ref><ref name="INS Prahar mishap">{{Cite news |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/ins-prahar-mishap-captain-found-guilty-of-navigational-error-sacked/13873/0 |title=INS Prahar mishap: Captain found guilty of navigational error, sacked |last=Sonawane |first=Rakshit |access-date=5 September 2018 |work=The Indian Express |publication-date=2 October 2022}}</ref> The corvette was on its way to [[Mumbai]], after the completion of TROPEX exercise, when the incident happened.<ref name="ins prahar sinks" /><ref name="INS Prahar mishap" /> The corvette's entire crew of seventy-three were rescued before it sank and no injuries were reported.<ref name="INS Prahar mishap" />

=== TROPEX 2007 ===
TROPEX 2007 commenced on 30 January 2007 and was conducted in the Arabian Sea.<ref name="zeenews">{{Cite news |url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/indian-navy-validates-new-maritime-warfare-doctrine_356870.html |title=Indian Navy validates new maritime warfare doctrine |access-date=20 February 2007 |work=[[Zee News]] |publication-date= 27 February 2022}}</ref><ref name="Converging Regions: Global Perspectives on Asia and the Middle East">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qB8SBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA126 |title=Converging Regions: Global Perspectives on Asia and the Middle East |publisher=Ashgate Publishing |year=2014 |isbn=9781472436856 |editor=Nele Lenze |editor2=Charlotte Schriwer |edition=reprint, revised |page=126}}</ref> The exercise involved fifty ships from the Indian Navy's Western and Eastern Naval Command, including the aircraft carrier {{INS|Viraat}}, {{Sclass|Rajput|destroyer|5}} and {{Sclass|Delhi|destroyer|1}}s, and {{Sclass|Talwar|frigate|5}}, {{Sclass|Brahmaputra|frigate|5}} and {{Sclass|Godavari|frigate|1}}s.<ref name="zeenews" /><ref name="INDIA’S DRIVE FOR A ‘BLUE WATER’ NAVY">{{Cite journal |last=Scott |first=David |title=INDIA'S DRIVE FOR A 'BLUE WATER' NAVY |url=http://jmss.org/jmss/index.php/jmss/article/viewFile/90/100 |journal=Journal of Military and Strategic Studies |date=Winter 2007–08 |volume=10 |issue=2}}</ref> It also involved elements from the Army, Air Force, and the Coast Guard.<ref name="zeenews" /><ref name="Converging Regions: Global Perspectives on Asia and the Middle East" /> Towards the later stages of the exercise, the navy deployed UAVs, [[Kamov Ka-31|Kamov 31 AEW helicopters]], missile defence systems like [[Barak 1|Barak]], [[Buk missile system|Shtil]] and Kashmir surface-to-air missiles, besides land-attack missiles.<ref name="zeenews" /> During the exercise, participating forces successfully conducted firing of live weapons, including firing of surface-to-air as well as surface-to-surface missiles.<ref name="mod-tropex07">{{Cite web |url=https://mod.gov.in/sites/default/files/AR-eng-2008.pdf |title=Annual Report 2007-2008 |website=Ministry of Defence |page=35}}</ref> In addition, they also tested new operational concepts and learned valuable lessons, which will then be analyzed and used for improving existing operational doctrines.<ref name="zeenews" /><ref name="mod-tropex07" /> "The thrust of this year's edition was to validate the concept of 'Maritime Manoeuvre from the Sea' that is designed to ensure that in a short, swift and intense conflict, the navy is able to directly address and favourably influence the progress and outcome of the air-land battle," said a navy spokesperson.<ref name="zeenews" />

=== TROPEX 2008 ===
TROPEX 2008 was conducted on India's Eastern seaboard.<ref name="Annual Report - Government of India, Ministry of Defence">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cABQAQAAMAAJ |title=Annual Report – Government of India, Ministry of Defence |publisher=Ministry of Defence |year=2022}}</ref> The exercise included the independent workup phase, joint workup phase and tactical phase.<ref name="Annual Report - Government of India, Ministry of Defence" /> On 1 February 2008, while the exercise was underway, five India naval personnel were killed and three others were critically injured aboard the [[Amphibious transport dock|amphibious transport warship]] {{INS|Jalashwa|L41|6}}, when they inadvertently inhaled the poisonous [[hydrogen sulphide]] (H2S) gas while trying to locate the source of the leakage in a compartment of the ship. ''Jalashwa'', which was purchased from the United States the previous year, was engaged in the exercise with other naval units in the [[Bay of Bengal]], between [[Visakhapatnam]] and [[Port Blair]] when the mishap occurred.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/report/navy/20080202.htm |title=Sailors died due to gas leak: Navy |access-date=10 August 2018 |work=Rediff.com |publication-date=2 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Jalashwa-deaths-due-to-gas-inhalation/articleshow/2751966.cms |title=Jalashwa deaths due to gas inhalation' |access-date=10 August 2018 |work=The Times of India |publication-date=3 February 2022}}</ref><ref name="Deaths on board INS Jalashwa due to gas leakage">{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/Deaths-on-board-INS-Jalashwa-due-to-gas-leakage-says-Navy/article15157119.ece |title=Deaths on board INS Jalashwa due to gas leakage, says Navy |last=Dikshit |first=Sandeep |access-date=10 August 2018 |work=The Hindu |publication-date=3 February 2022}}</ref> Among the injured were [[Lieutenant commander]] Shwet Gupta and [[Lieutenant (navy)|Lieutenant]] Ruchir Prasad.<ref name="Deaths on board INS Jalashwa due to gas leakage"/> Gupta subsequently succumbed to his injuries on 9 February 2008, bringing the total number of sailors killed to six.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/Naval-officer-dead/article15162101.ece |title=Naval officer dead |last=Dixit |first=Sandeep |access-date=10 August 2018 |work=The Hindu |publication-date=10 February 2022}}</ref> Prasad, one of the survivors, later narrated that Gupta, sensing the gravity of the situation, promptly decided to not wait for the gas masks, and, regardless of personal risk, rushed to the rescue of trapped sailors aboard the Jalashwa, and in the process inhaled the poisonous gas.<ref name="Courage under fire on INS Jalashwa">{{Cite news |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/courage-under-fire-on-ins-jalashwa/story-4TtqJSQR6GCiM3bktWOJdL.html |title=Courage under fire on INS Jalashwa |last=Singh |first=Rahul |access-date=17 November 2018 |work=Hindustan Times |publication-date=21 February 2022}}</ref><ref name="Naval officer dead">{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/Naval-officer-dead/article15162101.ece |title=Naval officer dead |last=Dixit |first=Sandeep |access-date=17 November 2018 |work=The Hindu |publication-date=10 February 2022}}</ref> "He jumped and so did I," Prasad said, "I was the last man to see him conscious before I fell myself and in those 30 to 60 seconds we were down there, all I remember is how he showed utter disregard to his own safety."<ref name="Courage under fire on INS Jalashwa" /> Gupta was posthumously awarded the [[Nao Sena Medal]] for his gallantry.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://thehinduimages.com/details-page.php?id=107900566&highlights=MEDALS |title=NAVAL INVESTITURE CERMONY_2009 |website=The Hindu Images}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release |title=Independence Day Gallantry Awards and other Decorations |date=14 August 2008 |publisher=Press Information Bureau |url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelcontent.aspx?relid=41332 |access-date=10 August 2022}}</ref>

=== TROPEX 2009 ===
[[File:The hundreds of Infantry soldiers rushing towards simulated enemy targets at Madhavpur beach, Gujarat, during Exercise Tropex-09, a joint services exercise by the Army, Navy and the Air Force, on February 09, 2009.jpg|thumb|Hundreds of Infantry soldiers rushing towards simulated enemy targets at Madhavpur beach, Gujarat, during Exercise Tropex-09]]
TROPEX 2009 took place from 27 January to 25 February 2009.<ref name="Annual Report - Government of India, Ministry of Defence" /> It was conducted by the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and Indian Coast Guard at Madhavpur Beach, [[Gujarat]].<ref name="TROPEX-2009">{{Cite press release |title=Amphibious Landing Exercise off Gujarat Coast |date=9 February 2017 |publisher=Press Information Bureau |url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=47351 |access-date=14 February 2022}}</ref><ref name="hindustantimes.com">{{Cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/joint-exercise-of-armed-forces-tropex-begins/story-Iz3xnHp5q4UErjqL7YjuhO.html |title=Joint exercise of armed forces 'Tropex' begins |access-date=14 February 2017 |work=The Hindustan Times |publication-date=9 February 2022}}</ref> The exercise involved an amphibious landing on the beach and complex military manoeuvres.<ref name="TROPEX-2009"/> It included around 1,500 Indian Armed Forces' personnel.<ref name="hindustantimes.com"/> Indian Navy assets included amphibious transport dock INS ''Jalashwa'', [[amphibious warfare vessel]]s, fleet ships with their integral helicopters, shore-based aircraft, and [[submarine]]s. Indian Air Force assets such as [[SEPECAT Jaguar|Jaguar]] and [[MiG-29]] aircraft were also seen in action.<ref name="TROPEX-2009" /> It was witnessed by then Air Marshal K D Singh (AOC in C, South Western Air Command), then Vice Admiral J S Bedi (FOC in C, Western Naval Command) and then Lieutenant General Pradeep Khanna (GOC in C, Southern Command).<ref name="TROPEX-2009"/>

=== TROPEX 2010 ===
TROPEX 2010 was conducted from 7 February to mid-March 2010 off the Eastern seaboard of India.<ref name="Annual Report 2010">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=igBQAQAAMAAJ |title=Annual Report – Government of India, Ministry of Defence |publisher=Ministry of Defence |year=2010 |page=33}}</ref><ref name="TROPEX 2010">{{Cite press release |title=Western and Eastern fleets of Indian Navy along with IAF and Coast Guard Elements Converge in bay of Bengal for TROPEX 2010 |date= 25 February 2010 |publisher=Press Information Bureau |url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=58397 |access-date=27 February 2022}}</ref> Major surface combatants, including the aircraft carrier, INS ''Viraat'', airborne early warning (AEW) helicopters, [[Unmanned Aerial Vehicle|UAV]]s from the Indian Navy's Western and Eastern Naval Command along with assets from the Indian Air Force, including [[Sukhoi Su-30|Su-30MKI]], and Jaguars. The Indian Coast Guard also took part in the exercise.<ref name="TROPEX 2010" />

It included a mock battle to test the tactical skills and operational readiness of the armed forces. It was witnessed by then Admiral Nirmal Verma (Chief of the Naval Staff) and then Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar from aboard INS ''Viraat''.<ref name="TROPEX 2010" /> It also included missile, torpedo and gun firings exercises.<ref name="TROPEX 2010" />

"Overall, the exercise is intended to thoroughly test the human and material endurance of the Navy, the efficacy of its operational and logistics plans and its combat effectiveness," said a press release issued by Ministry of Defence.<ref name="TROPEX 2010" />

=== TROPEX 2011 ===
[[File:INS Jalashwa in Mumbai.jpg|thumb|right|INS ''Jalashwa'', in [[Mumbai]], before proceeding to [[Libya]].]]
TROPEX 2011 was conducted in February 2011 on the Western seaboard and involved units of the Indian Navy, Army and Air Force.<ref name="Annual Report - Ministry of Defence">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZgBQAQAAMAAJ|title=Annual Report|publisher=Ministry of Defence|year=2022}}</ref><ref name="tro11">{{Cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/navy-to-issue-rs-50000-crore-submarine-tender-this-year/articleshow/7508341.cms |title=Navy to issue Rs 50,000 crore submarine tender this year |access-date=17 August 2018 |work=The Economic Times |agency=Press Trust of India |publication-date=16 February 2022}}</ref> It was carried out in three phases: independent workup phase, joint workup phase and tactical phase.<ref name="Annual Report - Ministry of Defence" /> During the exercise, the navy pulled out its largest amphibious warship INS ''Jalashwa'', which was then ordered to proceed to [[Libya]] to [[Operation Safe Homecoming|evacuate its nationals]], who were fleeing from the [[Libyan Civil War (2011)|Libyan Civil War]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1110304/jsp/nation/story_13666033.jsp |title=Navy to stalk, not strike at pirates |last=Dutta |first=Sujan |access-date=17 August 2018 |work=The Telegraph |publication-date=4 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/INS-Jalashwa-Mysore-set-sail-for-Libya/article15459766.ece |title=INS Jalashwa, Mysore set sail for Libya |access-date=17 August 2018 |work=The Hindu |publication-date=27 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.sify.com/news/india-unveils-operation-safe-homecoming-thousands-on-way-news-national-lc1qOccdabesi.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150820094233/http://www.sify.com/news/india-unveils-operation-safe-homecoming-thousands-on-way-news-national-lc1qOccdabesi.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 August 2015 |title=India unveils Operation Safe Homecoming, thousands on way |access-date=17 August 2018 |publisher=Sify News |agency=Indo-Asian News Service |publication-date=27 February 2022}}</ref>

=== TROPEX 2012 ===
TROPEX 2012 was conducted from the end of January to early March 2012 on the Eastern Seaboard.<ref name="INDIAN NAVY IN THE YEAR 2012">{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/sites/default/themes/indiannavy/images/pdf/year_gone_by_2012.pdf |title=INDIAN NAVY IN THE YEAR 2012 |website=indiannavy.nic.in}}</ref> Over forty ships, including INS ''Viraat'' and {{INS|Shivalik}}, submarines, along with large number of aircraft, including the [[British Aerospace Sea Harrier|Sea Harrier]], and unmanned aerial vehicles from the Indian Navy's Western and Eastern Naval Command, and elements from the Indian Air Force, participated in the exercise.<ref name="Tropex 12">{{Cite press release |title=Brahmos Launch, Sam Interceptions and Network Centric Warfare on Display During Tropex 12 |date=8 February 2012 |publisher=Press Information Bureau |url=http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/erelcontent.aspx?relid=80189 |access-date=10 February 2022}}</ref> Indian Air Force assets included a variety of aircraft such as Su-30MKI, Jaguars, [[Dassault Mirage 2000|Mirages]] and Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS).<ref name="Tropex 12"/><ref name="INDIAN NAVY IN THE YEAR 2012" /> It was witnessed by then Admiral Nirmal Verma (Chief of Naval Staff), then Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral AK Chopra, and then defence minister [[A.K. Antony]].<ref name="Tropex 12"/>

=== TROPEX 2013 ===
[[File:Amphibious landing during TROPEX 2013.jpg|thumb|right|Amphibious landing during TROPEX 2013]]
TROPEX 2013 was conducted off India's [[Arabian Sea|west coast]].<ref name="indiannavy">{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/naval-exercise-tropex-2013-concludes |title=Naval Exercise 'TROPEX-2013' concludes |website=www.indiannavy.nic.in}}</ref> It included ships, submarines and aircraft from all Commands of the Indian Navy, with joint participation of units from the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and the Indian Coast Guard.<ref name="indiannavy"/> Over 50 ships and submarines, and around 75 aircraft participated in TROPEX 2013, which concluded on 1 March 2013.<ref name="indiannavy"/> The navy conducted manoeuvres, weapon firings and tactical evaluation.<ref name="indiannavy"/> TROPEX 2013 also included an [[Amphibious warfare|amphibious segment]], involving around 2000 troops, tanks, [[amphibious vehicles]] and other equipment.<ref name="indiannavy"/>

=== TROPEX 2014 ===
[[File:Indian Navy's TROPEX-2014 (6).JPG|thumb|The nuclear–powered attack submarine {{INS|Chakra|2011|2}} underway during TROPEX 2014]]
[[File:Indian Navy's TROPEX-2014 (4).jpg|thumb|right|Live firing from a {{Sclass|Shivalik|frigate|1}} during TROPEX 2014]]
TROPEX 2014 marked the debut of the Indian Navy's new [[Boeing P-8 Poseidon|P-8I Neptune]] long range maritime patrol aircraft, nuclear submarine {{INS|Chakra|2011|6}}, and the [[BAE Systems Hawk|Hawk]] advanced trainer aircraft of the Indian Air Force.<ref name="TROPEX – 2014 ">{{Cite press release |title=TROPEX – 2014 |date=1 March 2014 |publisher=Press Information Bureau |url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=104430 |access-date=9 February 2022}}</ref><ref name="ndtv"/> The Indian Navy conducted large scale manoeuvres in all three dimensions (land, sea, air), across the [[Bay of Bengal]], [[Arabian Sea]] and the [[Indian Ocean]].<ref name="TROPEX – 2014 "/> Around 60 ships, including the aircraft carrier INS ''Viraat''<ref name="ndtv">{{Cite news |url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/indian-navys-largest-exercise-in-two-years-concludes-successfully-552387 |title=Indian Navy's largest exercise in two years concludes successfully |access-date=9 February 2017 |work=NDTV |publication-date=1 March 2022}}</ref> and submarines of the navy, and 75 aircraft, and assets from the Indian Air Force, and the Indian Coast Guard participated in the TROPEX 2014, which concluded on 28 February 2014.<ref name="TROPEX – 2014 "/> This year's TROPEX was aimed at testing combat readiness of the naval units.<ref name="TROPEX – 2014 "/> It also focused on validating the Indian Navy's war fighting doctrine and integration of newly included capabilities in its 'Concept of Operations'.<ref name="TROPEX – 2014 "/> The Indian Navy validated its network centric warfare capabilities, wherein, its recently launched satellite GSAT 7 was extensively utilised.<ref name="TROPEX – 2014 "/>

=== TROPEX 2015 ===
[[File:Western Fleet Ships berthed alongside in Kochi during TROPEX 2015 (1).jpg|thumb|Western Fleet Ships berthed in Kochi during TROPEX 2015]]
TROPEX 2015 was conducted from the end of January<ref name="indianexpress"/> to 27 February 2015 across the Arabian Sea and the northern Indian Ocean.<ref name="pib" /><ref name="toi"/> Around 50 ships, including the guided missile destroyer {{INS|Kolkata}} and anti-submarine warfare corvette {{INS|Kamorta}}, and submarines, including the nuclear submarine INS ''Chakra'', from the three Indian Naval commands, along with more than 70 aircraft, including the P-8I Neptune, and assets from the Indian Air Force and the Indian Coast Guard participated.<ref name="pib">{{Cite press release |title=Indian Navy Concludes Its Annual Exercise |date=27 February 2015 |publisher=Press Information Bureau |url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=116141 |access-date=9 February 2022}}</ref><ref name="toi">{{Cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Navy-concludes-month-long-Tropex-exercise/articleshow/46398773.cms |title=Navy concludes month-long Tropex exercise |access-date=9 February 2017 |work=The Times of India |agency=Press Trust of India |publication-date=27 February 2022}}</ref> This year's TROPEX focused on validating the Indian Navy's concept of operations.<ref name="pib" /><ref name="toi"/>

The Indian Navy deployed two [[Carrier battle group|aircraft carrier battle groups]], led by {{INS|Vikramaditya}} and INS ''Viraat'' to take part, thus demonstrating its capability of deploying more than one carrier task force at the same time.<ref name="pib" /><ref name="toi"/> A statement issued by the Ministry of Defence read: "The exercise provided the right opportunity for the navy to integrate these acquisitions into its war-fighting concepts. TROPEX-15 also served to reinforce the Indian Navy's offensive capabilities across all dimensions, including [[Network-centric warfare|Network Centric Operation]]s, wherein, the indigenous satellite [[GSAT-7|Rukmani]] was extensively utilised."<ref name="pib" /><ref name="toi"/> Indian [[Ministry of Defence (India)|defence minister]] [[Manohar Parrikar]] witnessed the exercise. He also spent a night on-board INS ''Vikramaditya'' during the exercise.<ref name="toi"/>

=== TROPEX 2017 ===
[[File:File-Photo.jpg|thumb|right|TROPEX 2017]]
[[File:Tropex 2017.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Mikoyan MiG-29K|MiG 29K]] takes off from INS ''Vikramaditya'' during TROPEX 2017.]]
TROPEX 2017 was conducted from 24 January to 23 February 2017 off the Western Seaboard of India.<ref name="Navy’s Theatre Level Exercise, TROPEX 17, gets underway">{{Cite press release |title=Navy's Theatre Level Exercise, TROPEX 17, gets underway |date=27 January 2017 |publisher=Press Information Bureau |url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=Release%20Id%20:157717 |access-date=9 February 2022}}</ref><ref name="Indian Navy Concludes Tropex 2017">{{Cite press release |title=Indian Navy Concludes Theatre Level Exercise Tropex 2017 |date=26 February 2017 |publisher=Press Information Bureau |url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=(Release%20ID%20:158689) |access-date=27 February 2022}}</ref> The exercise included both a harbour and sea phase.<ref name="Navy’s Theatre Level Exercise, TROPEX 17, gets underway"/> Over 45 ships, including the aircraft carrier INS ''Vikramaditya'' and [[amphibious transport dock]] {{INS|Jalashwa|L41|6}},<ref name="Navy’s Theatre Level Exercise, TROPEX 17, gets underway"/> five submarines, including INS ''Chakra'', 50 aircraft from the Indian Navy's [[Western Naval Command|Western]] and [[Eastern Naval Command]], 11 ships from the Indian Coast Guard, 20 aircraft from the Indian Air Force including Su-30MKI, SEPECAT Jaguar, [[EL/W-2090|AWACS]], [[Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules|C-130J Super Hercules]] and in-flight refuelling aircraft [[Ilyushin Il-78|Il-78MKI]], and Indian Army troops participated in TROPEX 2017.<ref name="Indian Navy Concludes Tropex 2017" /><ref name="Tropex 2017">{{Cite press release |title=Admiral Sunil Lanba CNS reviews Indian Navy's Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise (Tropex 2017) |date=6 February 2017 |publisher=Press Information Bureau |url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=Release%20Id%20:158085 |access-date=9 February 2022}}</ref>

The exercise was conducted in various phases. The joint workup phase witnessed various weapon firings by assets of the navy and the air force. This was followed by a tactical phase which lasted for over 10 days.<ref name="Indian Navy Concludes Tropex 2017" /> "The interaction of the forces helped validate operational war fighting concepts and provided valuable lessons to sharpen combat skills," a statement issued by Ministry of Defence said.<ref name="Indian Navy Concludes Tropex 2017" />

Tropex 2017 included firing a [[BrahMos]] missile from guided missile destroyer {{INS|Chennai}}<ref name="economictimes">{{Cite news |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/defence/tropex-2017-indian-navy-displays-might-fires-brahmos-missile-from-ins-chennai/articleshow/57001500.cms |title=TROPEX 2017: Indian Navy displays might; fires Brahmos missile from INS Chennai |access-date=10 February 2017 |work=The Economic Times |publication-date=8 February 2022}}</ref> and the firing of a [[Kh-35]] anti-ship missile from an upgraded [[Ilyushin Il-38|Il-38 Sea Dragon]] [[maritime patrol aircraft]].<ref name="ndtv.com">{{Cite news |url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/off-goa-the-largest-ever-naval-exercises-with-a-focus-on-the-chinese-navy-1657264 |title=Indian Navy's Largest-Ever Exercise vs 'Enemy Submarines' (Read China) |access-date=10 February 2017 |work=NDTV |publication-date=8 February 2022}}</ref> The exercise was witnessed by Admiral [[Sunil Lanba]] (Chief of the Naval Staff), General [[Bipin Rawat]] (Chief of the Army Staff) and Vice Admiral [[Girish Luthra]] (FOC in C, Western Naval Command).<ref name="Tropex 2017"/>

Beside gunnery shoots, missile firing, and air defense exercises, TROPEX 2017 featured Large Force Engagement (LFE) by Indian Navy fleet units against threats simulated by the Indian Air Force with key assets such as Su-30MKI and Jaguars, equipped with [[Harpoon (missile)|Harpoon]] anti-ship missiles, representing enemy aircraft.<ref name="Tropex 2017"/><ref name="ndtv.com"/><ref name="thediplomat">{{Cite news |url=https://thediplomat.com/2017/02/indian-navy-practices-sinking-chinese-subs-in-largest-ever-military-exercise/ |title=Indian Navy Practices Sinking Chinese Subs in Largest-Ever Military Exercise |access-date=23 February 2017 |work=[[The Diplomat]] |publication-date=10 February 2022}}</ref> These threats, coming from different directions, were neutralised by MiG-29K interceptors taking off from the aircraft carrier, INS ''Vikramaditya'', in coordination with other fleet elements.<ref name="Tropex 2017"/>

"TROPEX 2017 assumes great significance in the backdrop of current security scenario. The exercise provided an apt-opportunity to test the combat capability of the Indian Navy, Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Coast Guard, and strengthened inter-operability and joint operations in complex conflict situation," a Navy statement said.<ref name="Indian Navy Concludes Tropex 2017" />

=== TROPEX 2019 ===
TROPEX 2019 had commenced 7 Jan 2019 and was planned to be terminated by 10 Mar 2019. However, the JEM sponsored terrorist [[2019 Pulwama attack|attack]] on the CRPF convoy in Pulwama on 14 February 2019 led to the rapid redeployment of the Indian Navy for Operations in North Arabian sea. About 60 ships of the Indian Navy, 12 ships of the Indian Coast Guard and 60 aircraft were part of TROPEX 19.<ref name="defencenewsofindia.com">{{Cite news |url=https://defencenewsofindia.com/tropex |title=Navy Chief Reviews TROPEX 2019 in Kochi |access-date=19 March 2019 |work=Defence News Of India |publication-date=18 March 2022}}</ref> TROPEX 19 had commenced with tri-services Amphibious Exercise in the A & N islands with participation of Army and Air Force. This was followed by the largest Coastal Defence Exercise code named SEA VIGIL' on 22–23 January with participation of all 13 Coastal States and Union Territories along with all maritime stakeholders. The TROPEX itself was thus far the largest in terms of geographical spread covering the IOR and also with regard to the number of participating units.

=== TROPEX 2021 ===
TROPEX 2021 commenced in early January 2021 and will end in the third week of February. Almost all assets of the Navy are taking part, as well as units from the Army, Airforce and Coast Guard. It is the navy's largest war game.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise (TROPEX 21) Indian Navy's Largest War Game|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/theatre-level-operational-readiness-exercise-tropex-21-indian-navy%E2%80%99s-largest-war-game|access-date=13 February 2021|website=Indian Navy}}</ref> Drills and exercises including SEA VIGIL and AMPHEX-21 were part TROPEX.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-12|title=TROPEX 21 – Indian Navy's mega war game underway in Indian Ocean Region; see photos|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/photos/business-gallery/2193564/tropex-21-indian-navys-mega-war-game-underway-in-indian-ocean-region-see-photos/|access-date=2021-02-13|website=The Financial Express|language=en-US}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist|20em}}

== External links ==
* {{commons category-inline|TROPEX (naval exercise)}}

[[Category:Indian military exercises]]

Exercise TROPEX - Revision history

Bot at 17:23, 15 July 2022