Article Posted on : - Mar 10, 2017

KOCHI (PTI): The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Admiral Sunil Lanba on Wednesday visited Kochi for the debrief of the recently concluded annual Theatre Level Readiness and Operational Exercise (TROPEX).

Commanders-in-Chief of all the three naval Commands, along with a number of senior operational commanders attended and participated in the discussions held at the Naval Base, Navy said.

In addition, the naval brass discussed the future roadmap of operations for the Navy, to include refining existing concepts, catering for improved maritime capabilities of new acquisitions, it said.

The Annual Integrated Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise - in short TROPEX - the largest maritime exercise of the Indian Navy was conducted in the month of February in the Arabian Sea and North Indian Ocean.

The exercise comprised several phases, including Work up, Weapon firing and a Tactical Phase simulating a war scenario.

A large scale contingency exercise was also undertaken during the exercise in which real time mass casualty evacuation was carried out.

TROPEX 2017 included several new aspects, with the participation of potent platforms such as aircraft carrier Vikramaditya, MiG 29K, P8-I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft, nuclear submarine Chakra and various new platforms, including indigenous Kolkata class stealth destroyers and anti-submarine warfare frigate Kamorta along with 50 ships, submarines and more than 70 aircraft and assets of IAF and ICG.

All participating units conducted their operations in a networked environment, facilitated by robust and seamless communications, mainly through satellite under the Indian Navy's overall thrust on Network Centric Operations, aligned with the Prime Minister's vision of Digital India.

Overall, the exercise validated the Navy's readiness and capability to meet various mandated roles, in support of national objectives.

The Admiral, who also interacted with the officers of SNC during the visit, departing Kochi the following day.