Theatre level readiness and operational exercise (TROPEX) is conducted by the Indian Navy as a major annual exercise of the combined fleets to test its preparedness to deal with any contingency. Almost 40 ships including submarines and 13 naval aircraft and UAVs participated in the exercise held this year. Units of the ICG and 18 aircraft of the IAF also took part in the exercise which was conducted off the Visakhapatnam coast. Defence Minister A.K. Antony spent two days with the Indian Navy on February 7-8, accompanied by the CNS Admiral Nirmal Verma and the FoC-in-C, Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral A.K. Chopra to witness the exercise.

The highlights were: two completely networked fleets, widely dispersed across seas in the Indian Ocean, operated in a dense electronic environment to match their professional and technical proficiency. Jointmanship was added by the participation of IAF aircraft such as AWACS, Sukhois, Mirages and Jaguars. The Defence Minister witnessed INS Shivalik execute various evolutions including a ‘surface gun shoot’ and Jackstay with INS Shakti in copybook fashion. The BrahMos, supersonic long-range anti-shipping missile, was launched successfully from a recently upgraded Ranvir class destroyer.

The Defence Minister also witnessed a full scale air power demonstration from INS Viraat with Seakings, Sea Harriers and Chetaks participating. Likewise, the MARCOS carried out a precision landing on the flight deck in the middle of the sea using combat free fall technique.

Addressing the ‘Viraatees’, the Minister said that he was “very very happy to be on India’s most prestigious INS Viraat” and added that by early next year the Indian Navy is likely to operate one more aircraft carrier Vikramaditya and the indigenous aircraft carrier some years later. Stating that 26/11 changed the security matrix, he said that the entire nation now acknowledges the critical requirement of maritime security and the important role of the Indian Navy. Complimenting the men on their professionalism, the Minister added, “Wherever we go (abroad), Indian Navy is the most sought after service...numerous countries want more cooperation with the Indian Navy.”