Military Exercises (March 2026)

1. Exercise Lamitiye–2026

"Lamitiye" translates to Friendship in Creole. This year marked a significant milestone for the biennial exercise.

• Edition: 11th Edition (March 10 – 22, 2026).
• Nature: Tri-Service (For the first time in 2026, it expanded from a military exercise to include Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force elements).
• Location: Seychelles Defence Academy, Seychelles.
• Key Focus:  Sub-conventional Operations: Neutralizing threats in semi-urban environments.
  • Maritime Security: Demonstrating "Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure" (VBSS) procedures.
  • Tech Integration: Discussions on using AI for disaster management and tactical combat.
• Exam Insight: Strategic for India's SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision. It cements India's role as a "Net Security Provider" in the Indian Ocean.

2. Exercise Sea Dragon 2026

A US-led multinational exercise focused on "hunting" in the deep sea.

• Nature: Naval (Anti-Submarine Warfare – ASW).
• Location: Andersen Air Force Base, Guam (Western Pacific).
• Partners: India, USA, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand (Note: Canada and South Korea have participated in previous years, but 2026 focused on this core group).
• Objective:
  • The Dragon Belt: A competitive award for the best-performing ASW team (won by Japan's P-3C crew in 2026).
  • Tracking: Using P-8I (India) and P-8A (USA) aircraft to track live US submarines.
• Exam Insight: Vital for the QUAD plus partners to ensure "Freedom of Navigation" and counter the expansion of extra-regional submarine presence in the Indo-Pacific.

3. Exercise Bharat Shakti 2026

A massive display of "Aatmanirbharta" (Self-Reliance) held at India's most famous testing ground.

• Nature: Tri-Service Live Fire and Manoeuvre Exercise.
• Partner: Domestic (Synergised demonstration of Indian Armed Forces).
• Location: Pokhran, Rajasthan.
• Key Highlights:
  • Indigenous Might: Showcased ONLY "Made-in-India" tech, including LCA Tejas, ALH Dhruv, K9-Vajra, and the Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket System.
  • Drone Warfare: Massive integration of swarm drones and anti-drone electronic warfare systems.
  • Interoperability: Focused on how the Army, Navy, and Air Force communicate using indigenous satellite and data links (Software Defined Radios).

• Exam Insight: Demonstrates that India is moving away from being the world’s largest arms importer to a self-reliant powerhouse. It proves the "Integrated Battle Groups" (IBG) concept.

   

4. Exercise Desert Flag-XI

This is a large-scale, multilateral air combat exercise that is crucial for understanding India's growing defense ties with the Middle East.

• Nature: Air Force (Multilateral).
• Host: Al-Dhafra Airbase, UAE.
• Participants: India, UAE, USA, France, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Bahrain.
• IAF Assets: Typically involves Su-30 MKI or Tejas (March 2026 saw heavy Tejas participation).
• Objective: To simulate a diverse, high-intensity combat environment and improve international interoperability.

5. Exercise Varuna 2026

One of the oldest and most strategic bilateral naval exercises for India.

• Nature: Naval (Bilateral).
• Partner: India &  France.
• Location: Arabian Sea.
• Focus: Advanced air defense exercises, anti-submarine drills, and tactical maneuvers. It often involves carrier strike groups (like INS Vikrant and the French Charles de Gaulle).

6. Exercise Bongosagar 2026

Critical for neighborhood security and the "Act East" policy.

• Nature: Naval (Bilateral).
• Partner: India & Bangladesh.
• Location: Northern Bay of Bengal.
• Objective: Developing a high degree of interoperability and joint operational skills through maritime exercises.

March 2026 Defense Summary Table