(THE GIST OF PIB) Exercise Sea Dragon 2025

(MARCH-2025)

It is a multinational anti-submarine warfare (ASW) drill conducted annually to strengthen maritime security and cooperation among allied nations in the Indo-Pacific region.
Hosted by the United States Navy’s 7th Fleet at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, this exercise focuses on detecting, tracking, and countering submarine threats, a crucial capability given the rising tensions in the region.
It is an intensive, highly technical military drill that involves both theoretical and practical ASW training.
Participating nations deploy their maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft (MPRA), which are equipped with advanced sensors and sonobuoys designed to track submarines.
The training includes mock drills, tactical discussions, and live submarine detection exercises, allowing crews to sharpen their ability to locate and neutralise enemy submarines in real-world scenarios.
Originally a bilateral naval drill between the US and Australia in 2019, the Sea Dragon exercise has expanded to include key allies, including India – which joined in 2021.

This year the exercise focused on improving ASW tactics, interoperability, and multinational coordination in the Indo-Pacific region. The exercise included:
Mobile ASW training target drills using the MK-30 ‘SLED’.
A live ASWEX exercise, where participants tracked a US Navy submarine.
A competitive phase, where aircrews were graded on ASW effectiveness.
It included Australia, Japan, South Korea, and the United States, with India participating for the fourth consecutive year.