"Sea Dragon 2025 Naval Exercise: Strengthening Anti-Submarine Warfare Skills"

Sea Dragon 2025 is an annual multilateral naval exercise being conducted from 4 to 19 March 2025 in the Western Pacific Ocean off the coast of Guam. The exercise is being hosted by the 7th Fleet of the United States Navy

The Indian Navy is participating in this tactical interoperability exercise along with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN). The aim of this exercise is to enhance coordination in maritime security operations and strengthen joint defence strategies.

Objective of the Exercise

The main objective of Sea Dragon 2025 is to strengthen anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities. Pilots and aircrews from the countries involved in this exercise coordinate, plan and discuss strategies for anti-submarine warfare. Finally, participants will practice detecting and tracking a live US Navy submarine.

History and Evolution

The Sea Dragon exercise began in 2019 as a joint exercise of the United States Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. In 2020, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), the Republic of Korea Navy (South Korea) and the Royal New Zealand Navy joined in. From 2021 to 2023, India, Australia, Japan, the United States, the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Republic of Korea Navy participated. In 2024, the Royal Canadian Air Force was not invited, making it a Quad plus South Korean exercise.

Sea Dragon 2025 Partner Countries

This year the US Navy has invited the following major naval forces:

Indian Navy

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF)

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)

Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN)

These countries will participate in joint anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training, aimed at enhancing tactical coordination and maritime surveillance capabilities.

Participation of Indian Navy

The Indian Navy is participating in this exercise with its P8I Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft. This aircraft plays a vital role in anti-submarine warfare and enhances the maritime surveillance capabilities of the Indian Navy.

Objectives and Significance of Sea Dragon 2025

Enhancing strategic coordination – The participating navies will develop interoperability and improve submarine detection strategies.

Strengthening maritime security – Ensuring safe and free navigation in the Indo-Pacific region.

Improve anti-submarine technologies – Focusing on tracking, reconnaissance missions and real-time intelligence sharing.

Exercise on real submarine hunting – The final phase will see a live-hunting exercise of a US Navy submarine.

Promoting military cooperation – Strengthening defense strategies between the Quad countries and South Korea.

Grading System and “Dragon Belt Award”

During this exercise, the submarine detection and tracking efficiency of the participating countries is evaluated. The country that earns the highest score is awarded the “Dragon Belt Award”.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has won this award consecutively since 2022, providing evidence of its excellent anti-submarine capabilities.

Significance of Sea Dragon 2025 for India and the Indo-Pacific region

Benefits for India

Enhances the Indian Navy's anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

Strengthens defense ties with the US, Australia, Japan and South Korea.

Prepares for future joint naval operations in the Indo-Pacific region.

Significance for the Indo-Pacific region

Ensures stability and independent navigation.

Strengthens preventive defense mechanisms against potential maritime threats.

Promotes regional defense cooperation among partner countries.

Exercises such as Sea Dragon 2025 promote tactical and operational interoperability among friendly countries, thereby contributing to regional security and stability.

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Assam's Electronic City will be renamed as "Ratan Tata Electronic City"

The Assam government has recently decided to rename the 'Assam Semiconductor and Electronics Logistics Park' located at Jagiroad as 'Ratan Tata Electronic City'. The decision has been taken to honor the significant contribution of the Tata Group and its former chairman, late Ratan Naval Tata, in the industrial development of Assam. The move aims to honor the contribution of industrialist Ratan Tata in Assam, who has played a key role in the industrial and economic development of the state through the Tata Group.

The announcement also highlights the deep industrial and economic ties between the Tata Group and Assam. The decision was taken after the “Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment Summit” held in February 2025, where Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran underlined Ratan Tata's strong association with Assam.

Key Points

1. Announcement of "Ratan Tata Electronic City"

The Assam government announced the name of the electronics city under construction in Jagiroad as Ratan Tata Electronic City.

The decision was taken to honour Ratan Tata's contribution to the industrial development of Assam.

Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran acknowledged the longstanding industrial ties between the Tata Group and Assam.

2. Tata's vision of semiconductor industry in Assam

In March 2024, Ratan Tata laid out a vision to make Assam a hub of the semiconductor industry.

₹27,000 croreIndia's first indigenous semiconductor assembly and test facility is being set up in Assam with an investment of Rs 10,000 crore.

The plant will produce 48 million chips per day and create 30,000 jobs.

A new unit related to mobile phone technology is also planned, which will create an additional 30,000 jobs.

3. Tata Group's growing presence in Assam

The Tata Group has a significant presence in Assam in several sectors including tea, healthcare and electronics.

Tata companies currently employ over 55,000 people in Assam.

17 cancer hospitals are being built in partnership with Tata Trusts and the Government of Assam, which will improve healthcare services.

Tata Consumer Company operates 21 properties and 20 manufacturing and packaging units in Assam, strengthening the tea industry.

4. Economic and industrial impact

The project will attract global companies and top talent to Assam.

Get a boost to Assam's urban development and mobile technology sector.

Will strengthen India's semiconductor and electronics manufacturing capacity.

Will establish Assam as a major hub in the global semiconductor and electronics supply chain.

5. Government support

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma officially announced the “Ratan Tata Electronic City”.

Union Minister of Railways, Electronics and IT also acknowledged Assam's growing role in the semiconductor ecosystem

The Assam Cabinet has expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his guidance and support for the success of the 'Advantage Assam 2.0 Summit'.

This initiative is an important step towards establishing Assam as a major hub in the field of semiconductor and electronics manufacturing, thereby boosting the economic and industrial growth of the state.

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