New Delhi, March 28: The Indian Armed Forces have successfully concluded a large-scale, tri-service exercise, Prachand Prahar, aimed at testing integrated warfighting capabilities in high-altitude terrain. The three-day drill, conducted from March 25-27, saw participation from the Army, Air Force, and Navy, focusing on multi-domain operations, real-time surveillance, and precision strikes under simulated electronic warfare conditions.
Held in the eastern sector of the Himalayas, Prachand Prahar showcased the military’s ability to conduct joint operations across land, air, sea, space, and cyber domains. Senior officials from all three services were present to oversee the execution of the exercise, which emphasized coordination, mobility, and rapid response capabilities.
Integration of Advanced Warfare Technologies
The exercise began with an extensive surveillance operation, deploying a range of airborne, maritime, and space-based assets to track and identify potential targets. The Air Force used long-range surveillance aircraft to scan the battlefield, while the Navy’s Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) platforms monitored coastal and inland threats. The Army, leveraging UAVs and satellite intelligence, provided real-time situational awareness to ground forces.
Once threats were identified, coordinated precision strikes were launched using a mix of aerial and artillery assets:
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Fighter jets executed high-altitude airstrikes on designated targets.
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Long-range artillery and rocket systems neutralized enemy positions from extended distances.
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Swarm drones and loitering munitions carried out AI-guided attacks.
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Attack helicopters provided close air support for ground forces.
The entire operation was carried out in a simulated electronic warfare environment, with adversarial forces actively jamming communication networks and disrupting targeting systems. Despite these challenges, the exercise demonstrated the Indian military’s ability to operate effectively in high-tech combat scenarios.
Senior Military Officials Assess Readiness
Top military commanders, including Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Ram Chander Tiwari, Eastern Air Commander Air Marshal Surat Singh, and Commodore Ajay Yadav from the Navy, were present to evaluate the performance of the integrated battle strategy.
Officials noted that Prachand Prahar builds on the experience gained from Exercise Poorvi Prahar, conducted in November 2024, which focused on integrating air assets in joint operations. The latest exercise further tested the military’s ability to conduct real-time data sharing, rapid force deployment, and synchronized multi-service attacks.
Strengthening India’s Strategic Posture
The exercise comes at a time when both China and Pakistan are modernizing their military capabilities, particularly in multi-domain warfare, cyber operations, and space-based surveillance. With growing regional security challenges, India is working to ensure that its armed forces remain ahead of emerging threats.
Recent conflicts, such as the Ukraine war, have underscored the importance of artillery, drones, and electronic warfare. Given the possibility of a two-front confrontation, India is focusing on fast decision-making, enhanced battlefield intelligence, and joint force operations.
Towards a Fully Integrated Theatre Command
As India moves towards establishing theatre commands, exercises like Prachand Prahar play a crucial role in refining joint operations and inter-service coordination. The drill tested the military’s ability to:
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Detect, engage, and relocate forces in real-time.
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Ensure seamless communication and intelligence sharing between service branches.
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Identify gaps in coordination to enhance combat effectiveness.
With an increasing focus on high-tech, network-centric warfare, military officials have emphasized the need for continuous joint exercises to strengthen India’s operational preparedness. Prachand Prahar serves as a significant step in this direction, reinforcing India’s commitment to maintaining a robust, modern, and agile defense posture.
