Sea Dragon 2025

March 24, 2025

The Sea Dragon 2025 naval exercise is multilateral drill focusing on anti-submarine warfare. It commenced on March 4, 2025, off the coast of Guam, hosted by the United States Navy’s 7th Fleet. This exercise involves key naval forces from the United States, Japan, Australia, and South Korea. It aims to enhance coordination in maritime security operations in the Indo-Pacific region.

Historical Evolution of Sea Dragon

The Sea Dragon exercise began in 2019 as a bilateral initiative between the United States Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. In 2020, it expanded to include Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand. The participation of India started in 2021, marking shift in the exercise’s scope. By 2024, it became a Quad + South Korea exercise, excluding Canada.

Participants in Sea Dragon 2025

The 2025 edition features theUnited States Navy, Indian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) Each nation deploys advanced Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) for joint training.

Objectives of Sea Dragon 2025

The primary objectives include:

Enhancing tactical coordination among participating navies.
Strengthening anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities.
Improving maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region.
Conducting simulated submarine hunting exercises.
Promoting military cooperation among allied forces.

Nature of the Exercise

Sea Dragon is designed specifically for anti-submarine warfare. Participating nations deploy their MPRA equipped with advanced sensors. The training involves mock drills and real-world submarine detection exercises. Each nation’s pilots exchange strategies to improve submarine tracking techniques.

Grading System and Awards

The performance of participating nations is assessed based on their submarine detection efficiency. The nation with the highest points receives the Dragon Belt Award. The JMSDF has won this award since 2022.

Significance for India and the Indo-Pacific

For India, Sea Dragon 2025 enhances anti-submarine warfare skills and strengthens defence ties with Quad nations. It prepares India for future joint naval operations. For the Indo-Pacific region, the exercise ensures stability, promotes freedom of navigation, and enhances regional defence collaboration.

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