Indian Navy undertakes war exercise to test combat readiness

New Delhi, Jan 27 (IANS) The Indian Navy is undertaking a large-scale war exercise off the western coast to test its combat readiness, with leading ships including aircraft carrier Vikramaditya, nuclear submarine Chakra taking part along with other vessels and aircraft, an official statement said on Friday.

The annual Theatre Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX) had started on January 24, the statement said, adding that the exercise assumes "special significance" in the backdrop of recent developments.

"Tropex 17 assumes special significance in the backdrop of the current security scenario. The exercise is aimed at testing combat readiness of the combined fleets of the Indian Navy, and the assets of the Indian Air Force, Indian Army and the Indian Coast Guard. It will also strengthen interoperability and joint operations in a complex environment," it said.

The month-long exercise has ships and aircraft of both the Western and Eastern Naval Commands, as also the Indian Air Force, Indian Army and the Indian Coast Guard exercising together.

"Tropex has grown in scale and complexity over the years and will see participation of major surface combatants and air assets of the Indian Navy," the statement said.

The other ships and aircraft participating include recently-commissioned destroyer Chennai, Landing Platform Dock (LPD) Jalashwa, the P-8I long range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft operating alongside SU-30 MKI, Jaguars, AWACS, IL-78 Flight Refuelling Aircraft of the Indian Air Force and Infantry units of the Indian Army.

"The exercise will be conducted in various phases, both in harbour and at sea encompassing the various facets of war-fighting and combat operations," the statement said.

The last edition of the exercise was conducted in January 2015.