India's tri-services Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) has begun a three-day aerial firing exercise near Sri Vijaya Puram in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, scheduled to run from October 20 to October 22, according to reports. The command issued a Notice to Mariners and Airmen (NOTMAR) asking them to stay away from the designated area between 10 am and 12.30 pm on those days.

Source: Defence.in

The ANC is India's only tri-services command, with components from the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. The exercise is aimed at strengthening defence preparedness and inter-service coordination in the Indian Ocean region, NewsFlixBharat reported.

Source: NewsFlixBharat

According to sources cited in the reports, the drills may involve fighter aircraft conducting cannon-fire practice along with missile and rocket testing, and both naval and air force platforms are expected to take part. The armed forces have not publicly disclosed the complete details of the weapons systems or activities involved, and Awaaz Punjab is reporting those details as source-based claims, not confirmed facts.

The island chain sits about 1,200 km from mainland India, close to the Malacca Strait, one of the world's busiest maritime trade routes, which gives the command a key role in monitoring maritime activity and safeguarding India's interests across the Indian Ocean.

Earlier this year, the ANC conducted Exercise Dweep Shakti from March 24 to 28, 2026, a large-scale joint exercise involving the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard, aimed at strengthening joint operational capabilities and readiness for emerging maritime and regional security challenges.