Paschim Lehar Exercise is joint maritime exercise conducted by Western Naval Command of India on January 2022. Indian Navy, Indian Airforce, Indian Army and Coast Guard participated in exercise which lasted 20 days. According to Government press release, major objectives are to validate operational plans of Western Naval Command and enhance Inter Service synergy among Indian Navy, IAF, Indian Army and Coast Guard.
The Paschim Exercise was conducted by Western Naval Command which is headquartered at Mumbai. Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh who is currently FOC -in- C (Flag Officer Commanding in Chief) of Western Naval Command.
The Exercise has witnessed wide participation of high weapons of all four armed forces. Indian Navy deployed more than 40 ships, submarines and maritime reconnaissance aircraft P8i while IAF deployed SU 30 MKI, Jaguar maritime strike aircraft, Flight Refueling Aircraft and AWACS. Indian Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) and Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) have participated in the exercise.
Western Naval Command is the most senior command of Indian Navy which protects western Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea. Western Naval Command is strategically important as Pakistan is situated on the west. Chinese sponsored Gwadar port and Karachi Naval Base are major threat to India. Increasing Chinese presence in Indian Ocean islands also creates serious concern for Indian Navy.
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