Indian Navy conducts a joint maritime exercise Paschim Lehar

The Western Naval Command conducted A joint maritime exercise Paschim Lehar off the West Coast which was concluded on January 25, 2022.

The purpose of this exercise, which ran over 20 days, was to validate the operational plans of the Western Naval Command. The objective was also to enhance Inter-Service synergy among the Indian Navy, IAF, Indian Army and Coast Guard.

According to the Ministry of Defence, “The exercise was conducted under the aegis of FOC-in-C, Western Naval Command. The intra-theatre exercise included mobilisation and participation of over 40 ships and submarines of the Indian Navy.”

It added, “In addition, the IAF deployed SU 30 MKI & Jaguar maritime strike aircraft, Flight Refuelling Aircraft and AWACs, alongside the Indian Navy’s maritime reconnaissance aircraft P8i, Dorniers, IL 38 SD, unmanned aerial systems and MiG 29K strike aircraft. Various elements of the Indian Army including Air Defence batteries were also mobilised for the exercise. After a long gap, many OPVs, FPVs and Air Cushion Vessels of the Coast Guard also participated in exercise Paschim Lehar.”

The Ministry of Defence also informed that a variety of weapon firings in a realistic tactical scenario, besides validation of operational missions and tasks under varying settings, were undertaken during the exercise.

“The exercise provided all participating forces an opportunity to operate together under realistic conditions, in responding to contemporary maritime challenges, across the areas of the Command’s responsibility,” it said.