Exercise Dweep Shakti: Tri-Service Island Defence Drill
Why in the news
The armed forces wrapped up Exercise Dweep Shakti, a demanding joint drill by the Army, Navy and Air Force to rehearse protecting island territories and sea routes. It ended in early 2026 and was run by the Andaman and Nicobar Command.
Key facts
- Type: a tri-service exercise centred on island defence and maritime security.
- Host: the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), which comes under a single unified commander.
- Terrain: the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago was used to mimic the defence of far-flung island possessions.
- Beach landing drills: tanks and armoured vehicles were shifted from naval ships to the shore to check how fast forces can be deployed.
- Technology: electronic warfare suites and swarming drones for scouting and precise strikes.
- Interoperability: common communication protocols were tried so fighter jets, warships and ground troops share live data.
Background concepts
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Tri-service exercise | Joint operation of Army, Navy and Air Force so they act as one cohesive force |
| Andaman and Nicobar Command | Set up in 2001; India’s first and only Theater Command |
| Amphibious assault | Operation mounted from the sea by naval and landing forces against a hostile or possibly hostile coast |
| SLOC | Sea Lines of Communication, the main sea routes between ports for trade, logistics and warships; vital for energy and economic security |
| Swarming drones | Several UAVs coordinating to reach a goal, often to saturate enemy defences |
Exam angle
- Command hosting the drill: Andaman and Nicobar Command, the only Theater Command.
- Year of ANC creation: 2001.
- Related terms: amphibious assault, SLOC, swarming drones, interoperability.