India Issues NOTAM for Tri-Services Exercise ‘Mahagujraj’ Near Pakistan Border from 9 to 11 November

India has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) restricting airspace over parts of Gujarat near the Pakistan border, specifically around the Sir Creek region, for a tri-services exercise named “Mahagujraj.” The NOTAM will remain active from 9 to 11 November 2025, between 09:00 and 20:30 IST, with restrictions applying up to 40,000 feet.

This exercise represents a coordinated effort involving the Army, Navy, and Air Force under a unified operational framework. The restricted zone extends across coastal and border areas of Gujarat, indicating the participation of air, land, and maritime units during the exercise period.

According to defence sources, Exercise Mahagujraj will include multi-domain operations to test coordination between the three services in air defence, naval movements, and ground support activities. The area near Sir Creek has been selected to focus on coastal security and joint response capabilities in a region that requires close surveillance and regular readiness drills.

Sir Creek, a 96-kilometre-long estuary that marks part of the boundary between India and Pakistan, remains an area of sensitive maritime interest. Conducting a tri-services exercise in this zone supports India’s coastal and border preparedness along the western seaboard, particularly in light of increasing maritime security challenges in the Arabian Sea.

The Indian Navy is expected to operate under the Western Naval Command, deploying P-8I patrol aircraft, Kolkata-class destroyers, submarines, and coastal surveillance units from Porbandar and Okha. The Indian Air Force will likely conduct missions using Su-30MKI, Jaguar, and Tejas aircraft from airbases in Jamnagar and Naliya, focusing on aerial coordination and precision targeting.

Ground forces from the Southern and South Western Commands will work alongside naval and air units for coastal defence and amphibious training, supported by Army Aviation and Special Forces. The exercise may also include limited live-fire practice and air insertion drills to improve coordination and timing between different service branches.

Officials said that Exercise Mahagujraj is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen joint operations capability, combining intelligence, communication, and operational planning across services. Coordination will be managed through integrated command systems under the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) framework.

The exercise comes amid continued efforts to improve surveillance and response mechanisms along the Gujarat coastline, where drone activity and radar monitoring have increased in recent months. Such exercises help maintain operational readiness and ensure effective coordination among the three branches of the armed forces.

Exercise Mahagujraj will conclude on 11 November with an integrated review by senior officers, evaluating coordination, communication, and overall performance. The event forms part of India’s gradual move toward a joint theatre command structure, aimed at enhancing efficiency in future operations.