New Delhi: India’s ability to respond swiftly and decisively during Operation Sindoor was significantly boosted by two key military exercises – Exercise Haldi Ghati and Exercise Tropex – conducted just weeks prior to the operation, according to defence sources.
Exercise Haldi Ghati, held from April 18 to 21, was a tri-services war game focused on testing and ensuring seamless communication among the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The primary objective was to eliminate communication barriers and enhance interoperability among the three services.
Concurrently, the Indian Navy conducted Exercise Tropex, a large-scale theatre-level exercise in the Arabian Sea, which involved almost all of the Navy’s major warships. This drill allowed the Navy to position its assets strategically across the region.
Following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, the Department of Military Affairs, led by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, swiftly implemented the key lessons from these exercises. Defence officials successfully carried out trials that ensured a real-time, integrated communication network between all three branches of the armed forces.
In the run-up to the main confrontation on May 7, efforts were concentrated on establishing joint communications and forming Joint Air Defence Centres along the India-Pakistan border. These centres integrated air defence weapon systems and command structures, providing a unified air defence shield.
The robust communication network and integrated air defence system played a crucial role in countering the drone attacks launched by the Pakistan Army on May 7, 8, and 9. It also enabled commanders at headquarters in Delhi to maintain real-time situational awareness and coordinate effectively with forces on the ground.
Meanwhile, Exercise Tropex ensured the Indian Navy was fully prepared. With frontline warships already deployed in strategic forward locations, the Navy was able to rapidly assert control across the Arabian Sea. This proactive stance compelled the Pakistan Navy to retreat and concentrate its assets closer to the Makran coast.
In essence, the synergy created by Haldi Ghati and Tropex proved instrumental in India’s quick and coordinated response during Operation Sindoor, showcasing a new level of operational readiness and tri-service integration.
