India announces Air Force exercise in Arabian Sea, 200 nautical miles from Karachi
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India has issued a notification for an upcoming Air Force exercise in the Arabian Sea, scheduled for December 10 and 11, 2025.
According to satellite imagery analyst Damien Symon, the designated danger zone is located roughly 200 nautical miles from Karachi and about 70 nautical miles from Pakistan-controlled airspace, placing the drill in a strategically sensitive area.
The exercise is expected to feature advanced aerial maneuvers and operational drills by the Indian Air Force. Such activities are normally communicated through NOTAMs, or Notice to Airmen, which alert civilian and military aviation authorities to avoid specific zones for safety during defence operations.
While routine in nature, the proximity of the exercise area to Pakistan-controlled airspace adds an additional layer of strategic relevance. The Arabian Sea has remained an important operational theatre for both India and Pakistan due to its crucial maritime trade routes and defence installations.
The announcement also follows a separate Indian government notification extending a danger zone for a likely sea launched missile test off the Visakhapatnam coast on December 4. That test is scheduled to take place on December 11.
The timing and location of both developments highlight India’s continued focus on strengthening operational readiness in the western and maritime sectors.