Paschim Lehar (XPL-2022) Exercise

Table of Contents

Paschim Lehar- Relevance for UPSC Exam

GS Paper 3: Security- Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

Recently, a joint maritime exercise Paschim Lehar (XPL-2022) was conducted by the Indian Navy off the West Coast, Arabian Sea.
A variety of weapon firings in a realistic tactical scenario, besides validation of operational missions and tasks under varying settings, were undertaken during the Paschim Lehar exercise.

Background: Last Paschim Lahar (Western Wave) Exercise was conducted by the Indian Navy in 2018.
- Units from Eastern Naval Command, Indian Army, Indian Air Force and the Coast Guard were also participated to build interoperability.
About: Paschim Lehar is a tri-service joint maritime exercise conducted by the Indian Navy and with the other two forces (Indian Airforce and Indian Army) and the Coast Guard.
- Paschim Lehar exercise 2022 was conducted under the aegis of FOC-in-C, Western Naval Command.
Objective: Paschim Lehar exercise aimed to validate operational plans of the Western Naval Command and enhance Inter-Service synergy among the Indian Navy, IAF, Indian Army and Coast Guard.
Participation: Paschim Lehar Exercise 2022 saw the participation of-
- Indian Airforce: SU 30 MKI & Jaguar maritime strike aircraft, Flight Refueling Aircraft and AWACs.
- Indian Navy: Maritime reconnaissance aircraft P8i, Dorniers, IL 38 SD, unmanned aerial systems and MiG 29K strike aircraft.
- Indian Army: Air Defence batteries among other things.
- Indian Coast Guard: OPVs, FPVs and Air Cushion Vessels.
Significance: Paschim Lehar exercise provided all participating forces an opportunity to operate together under realistic conditions, in responding to contemporary maritime challenges, across the areas of the Command’s responsibility.