India Joins Sea Dragon 2025 Naval Exercise in Guam
Sea Dragon 2025: India Deepens Maritime Security Ties in Anti-Submarine Warfare Drill: The Sea Dragon 2025 naval exercise has officially kicked off off the coast of Guam in the western Pacific, running from March 4 to March 19, 2025. Hosted by the United States Navy’s 7th Fleet, this year’s edition focuses on anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and sees participation from India, Japan, Australia, and South Korea. India has deployed its Boeing-manufactured P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft, showcasing its commitment to regional maritime cooperation and strengthening its ASW capabilities in the Indo-Pacific.
Strategic Evolution of Sea Dragon: From Bilateral to Multilateral
Originally launched in 2019 as a bilateral exercise between the U.S. and Australia, Sea Dragon has evolved into a strategic multilateral platform. By 2021, India officially joined the drill, alongside Canada and South Korea. The 2025 edition includes India, Japan, Australia, South Korea, and the U.S., reinforcing strategic cooperation within the Quad and allied Indo-Pacific nations. Notably, the Royal Canadian Air Force, a participant in earlier editions, is absent this year, making it a Quad + South Korea format.
Anti-Submarine Warfare at the Core of Training
Sea Dragon 2025 is dedicated entirely to anti-submarine warfare, a growing concern given regional naval threats. Each nation deploys Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) for submarine detection missions, tactical mock drills, and real-time intelligence sharing. The Indian Navy’s P-8I aircraft participates in high-intensity training exercises, exchanging strategies with counterparts. A unique feature is the simulated tracking of a live U.S. Navy submarine, testing each country’s detection precision. Performances are evaluated, and the Dragon Belt Award is given to the top performer—Japan’s Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) has consistently won since 2022.
Strategic Importance for India and Indo-Pacific Security
For India, Sea Dragon 2025 presents an opportunity to strengthen naval synergy with key Indo-Pacific partners and refine ASW tactics, vital for countering underwater threats. It enhances India’s preparedness for future joint naval operations, especially in the South China Sea and Indian Ocean regions. The exercise also ensures freedom of navigation, regional stability, and builds interoperability among friendly navies—a crucial aspect in an era of increasing maritime contestations.
STATIC GK SNAPSHOT
Sea Dragon 2025: India Deepens Maritime Security Ties in Anti-Submarine Warfare Drill:
| Exercise Name | Sea Dragon 2025 Naval Exercise |
| Host | United States Navy, 7th Fleet (Guam) |
| Dates | March 4 – March 19, 2025 |
| Indian Participation | Indian Navy (P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft) |
| Focus | Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) |
| Key Participants | U.S., India, Japan, Australia, South Korea |
| Award | Dragon Belt Award (Top ASW performance) |
| Past Winners | Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) |
| Strategic Goal | Maritime coordination, submarine detection, Indo-Pacific security |
