Sea Dragon 2025 naval exercise, a significant anti-submarine warfare (ASW) drill, has kicked off off the coast of Guam in the western Pacific Ocean. The exercise, which is being hosted by the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet, began on March 4 and will continue until March 19, 2025. The event brings together multiple nations, including the Indian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN), for a series of high-intensity training sessions aimed at improving anti-submarine operational coordination and enhancing maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region.
Sea Dragon’s Growth and Evolution
The Sea Dragon exercise first took shape in 2019 as a bilateral naval exercise between the U.S. Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. Since then, the scope of this crucial ASW drill has steadily expanded. By 2020, Japan’s JMSDF, the ROKN, and the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) had joined the drill. The exercise continued to grow in importance, and in 2021, 2022, and 2023, it welcomed all four Quad nations—India, the U.S., Japan, and Australia—along with Canada and South Korea. Notably, in 2024, Canada was not invited, making it a Quad + South Korea event.
In the 2025 edition, the U.S. Navy has extended invitations to key maritime forces such as the Indian Navy, JMSDF, RAAF, and ROKN. The focus remains on refining ASW tactics and strengthening international defense collaborations.
Sea Dragon 2025: Objectives and Importance
The Sea Dragon 2025 exercise plays a pivotal role in strengthening regional defense and addressing the growing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific. The objectives are multifaceted:
- Enhance Tactical Coordination: The participating nations aim to develop better operational interoperability and streamline coordination when performing complex anti-submarine tactics.
- Strengthen Maritime Security: By improving defense collaboration and response mechanisms, the exercise seeks to ensure safe navigation across the Indo-Pacific, a region crucial for global trade.
- Refine ASW Techniques: The exercise centers on advanced submarine detection, reconnaissance, and intelligence-sharing, making participants well-equipped to handle real-time underwater threats.
- Simulate Submarine Hunting: A core feature of Sea Dragon 2025 will be the simulated submarine hunt, involving the tracking and neutralizing of a live U.S. Navy submarine. This will test the operational readiness of all participants.
- Promote Cooperation Among Allies: Sea Dragon serves to fortify the strategic bonds between the Quad nations and South Korea, emphasizing their shared interest in countering maritime threats.
The Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Focus
Each participating nation brings its unique capabilities to the Sea Dragon exercise, with a strong focus on anti-submarine warfare. The Indian Navy, for instance, has deployed its P-8I Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft, a state-of-the-art Boeing aircraft designed specifically for ASW operations. The exercise features practical ASW drills, including simulated submarine detection, tactical collaboration, and live interactions to improve strategies for tracking and destroying enemy submarines.
Grading and the Dragon Belt Award
One of the key aspects of the Sea Dragon exercise is the competitive grading system. Each participant is assessed based on their efficiency in detecting and tracking submarines. The country with the highest performance in these drills is awarded the prestigious Dragon Belt Award, a symbol of excellence in anti-submarine warfare. Since 2022, the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) has consistently won the Dragon Belt Award, showcasing its superior ASW capabilities.
Strategic Importance for India and the Indo-Pacific
Sea Dragon 2025 holds immense strategic significance, both for India and for the broader Indo-Pacific region.
For India:
- Enhanced ASW Skills: The exercise provides the Indian Navy with valuable opportunities to refine its anti-submarine capabilities and integrate with other leading maritime forces.
- Strengthened Alliances: India’s participation deepens its defense cooperation with the United States, Australia, Japan, and South Korea, building stronger military ties across the Indo-Pacific region.
- Preparedness for Joint Operations: The exercise equips India with the knowledge and experience needed for future joint naval operations, fostering regional security and stability.
For the Indo-Pacific Region:
- Ensuring Maritime Security: By improving coordination and defense readiness, Sea Dragon helps ensure freedom of navigation and security in the Indo-Pacific, an area with significant geopolitical and economic importance.
- Counteracting Maritime Threats: The exercise serves as a deterrent to potential maritime aggressions, reinforcing regional defense frameworks.
- Strengthened Regional Cooperation: The exercise fosters closer defense relations and trust among participating nations, reinforcing the collective defense structure of the region.