Kavaratti (Lakshadweep), February 25 The SAC conducted a joint maritime exercise called 'Kalari Leap' in the Lakshadweep and Minicoy archipelago with the AFSOD and the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
The exercise was designed to validate joint planning, rapid force projection, and precise execution in a challenging maritime environment, a defence release said on Wednesday.
The joint operations included airborne and air-landed insertions, special heliborne missions, amphibious assault, anti-ship strikes, and maritime search and rescue, it said.
The air operations were a critical component of the exercise, with the deployment of assets such as the AN-32, Mi-17V5, and Su-30MKI aircraft, it added.
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) deployed its ships and Gemini boats, along with its Dornier 228 aircraft, which were used for search and rescue missions and to support the fighters in maritime strikes, the statement said.
The Armed Forces Special Operations Division (AFSOD) special forces were integrated for combat free fall insertions and amphibious assaults, it said.
"The exercises reinforced jointmanship, operational readiness, and validated the Southern Air Command (SAC) headquarters' ability to execute integrated air-maritime-special operations across the full spectrum of conflict in India's island domains," the statement said.