Indian Navy participated in the multinational exercise ‘Sea Dragon 2026’ in Guam

The Indian Navy (IN) participated in the multinational exercise ‘Sea Dragon 2026’. The main objective of this exercise is to focus on ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) training.

‘Sea Dragon’ is an annual multinational maritime exercise, an Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) drill conducted under the leadership of the United States (USA) 7th Fleet, which was held at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, USA.

In the 2026 edition of this exercise, forces from the Indian Navy (IN), Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), and the United States Navy (USN) participated. This participation reflects strong cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

The exercise begins with ‘tabletop’ planning sessions, where participating forces align their strategies with each other, integrate techniques, and coordinate mission-related tactics.

‘Sea Dragon’ Exercise

The ‘Sea Dragon’ exercise was started in the year 2019 at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam to enhance tracking and detection capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. Initially, it was a bilateral training initiative between the United States Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force.

From the year 2020, it expanded to include Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand, making it a major multilateral ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) program. The Indian Navy has been consistently participating in it and often demonstrates its advanced maritime surveillance capabilities by deploying its P-8I Poseidon aircraft.

About Guam Island

Guam is an island, which is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the Micronesia subregion of the western Pacific Ocean. The capital of Guam is Hagåtña and the most populous village is Dededo.

It is the westernmost point and territory of the United States, measured from the geographic center of the U.S. to Point Udall. In Oceania, Guam is the largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands and the largest island in Micronesia.

The indigenous people of Guam are the Chamorro people, who are related to the Austronesian peoples of the Malay Archipelago, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Polynesia. Unlike most of its neighbors, the Chamorro language is not classified as a Micronesian or Polynesian language.

Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, who was then in the service of Spain, was the first European to arrive on and claim this island in March, 1521 AD. In 1668 AD, Guam was fully colonized by Spain.

During the Spanish-American War, in June 1898 AD, the United States captured Guam. Under the Treaty of Paris of 1898, Spain ceded Guam to the United States from April 11, 1899 AD.

The highest point on the island is Mount Lamlam, which is located in the southwest and has a height of 1,332 feet (406 meters).