Chennai: India’s Arjun Mark II tank drives through sand during an exhibition at DefExpo 2018 in Chennai on Wednesday. The Expo takes place between April 11 and 14. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to officially launch the Expo on Thursday. PTI photo by R Senthil Kumar (PTI4_11_2018_000191B) | Photo credit: PTI
A major tri-service military exercise ‘Trishul’ began on Thursday (October 30, 2025) along the western border with Pakistan, showcasing the joint operational capability and strategic readiness of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.
Held from October 30 to November 10, the large-scale exercise covers Gujarat and Rajasthan and is aimed at enhancing interoperability, coordination and mission readiness among the three services.
The Navy is leading the initial phase of the exercise, followed by the Army in the second phase and the Indian Air Force in the final phase. The Border Security Force and the Coast Guard also participate as auxiliary forces, underscoring an integrated approach to national security.
More than 20,000 troops, supported by T-90S and Arjun tanks, attack helicopters, missile systems, Rafale and Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, as well as a fleet of frigates and destroyers, are conducting joint operations along the Western Front.
A senior defense official informed that the Trishul exercise highlights India’s growing focus on joint planning, integrated command structures and combat readiness to address evolving security challenges.
In particular, before the start of the exercise, Pakistan announced changes to some flight routes for the Karachi and Lahore areas.
Earlier this month, on October 2, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh warned Pakistan, saying “the route to Karachi passes through Sir Creek”. He warned that any aggression in the Sir Creek area would be met with a “resounding response that would change history as well as geography”.
Published – 30 Oct 2025 21:17 IST
