In News:

India has recently issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for a large-scale tri-services military exercise, “Ex Trishul,” scheduled along the Pakistan border. The announcement highlights India’s focus on joint operational preparedness, self-reliance, and technological innovation in defence.

About Notice to Airmen (NOTAM)

• Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), also known as Notice to Air Missions, is an official notification issued by national aviation authorities to inform airspace users about temporary or permanent changes that may affect flight operations.
• Purpose: NOTAMs ensure flight safety by providing timely information about:

• Changes in aeronautical facilities or services
• Temporary airspace restrictions
• Hazards or obstacles along flight paths
• Military activities, such as exercises or missile tests

They are critical for pilots, air traffic controllers, and flight planners, allowing them to modify flight paths or schedules to ensure operational safety.

Common Reasons for Issuing NOTAMs

• Airshows, parachute jumps, or glider operations
• VIP movements (e.g., heads of state)
• Runway or taxiway closures
• Unserviceable navigational aids or airport lighting
• Construction activities or temporary obstacles near airfields
• Military exercises involving restricted or closed airspace

NOTAMs are disseminated rapidly via aeronautical communication systems, online aviation portals, and electronic flight planning tools, enabling real-time updates for all stakeholders.

India’s Recent NOTAM: Context and Significance

The recent NOTAM covers a large segment of India’s western frontier, extending up to 28,000 feet, indicating one of the largest joint operational drills in recent years. Satellite imagery has highlighted the vast scale of the restricted airspace, reflecting India’s intent to conduct multi-domain, tri-service coordination along the Pakistan border.

This development follows Operation Sindoor (May 2025)—a precision air campaign against Pakistan’s terror infrastructure launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack (April 2025). The operation neutralized over 100 terrorists, marking one of the most intense India–Pakistan military confrontations in decades.

About Exercise Trishul

Exercise Trishul (Ex Trishul) is a tri-services military exercise involving the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. It aims to strengthen jointness, operational integration, and technological innovation, aligning with the government’s JAI Vision—Jointness, Aatmanirbharta, and Innovation.

Objectives

• To enhance inter-service coordination in high-tempo, multi-domain operations.
• To test indigenous systems and weapons platforms developed under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
• To refine tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) suited to emerging hybrid and asymmetric threats.

Key Operational Components

• Joint Operations:
  • Coordinated manoeuvres across desert, creek, and coastal sectors, led by Southern Command.
  • Amphibious operations off the Saurashtra coast, integrating Navy and Army assets.
  • Air defence missions, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare (EW) exercises by the Air Force.
• Multi-Domain Integration:
  • Exercises in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) networks.
  • Deployment of cyber warfare and space-enabled systems.
  • Incorporation of Artificial Intelligence–based decision support and digital command systems.
• Indigenous Focus:
  • Use of home-grown technologies in sensors, communication networks, and combat systems.
  • Demonstrates the operational maturity of India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.