Exercise LAMITIYE 2026: India's First Tri-Service Exercise with Seychelles Begins

**Exercise LAMITIYE 2026** is a **bilateral defence exercise between India and Seychelles**. Its **11th edition** began on **March 9, 2026** at **Seychelles Defence Academy, Victoria**, running until **March 20**. For the **first time**, it was upgraded to a **tri-service format** involving the **Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force** alongside Seychelles Defence Forces.

**Exercise LAMITIYE 2026** between India and Seychelles saw the deployment of **INS Trikand warship** and **IAF C-130 transport aircraft**. This was the first tri-service edition, held at Seychelles Defence Academy, Victoria, from March 9–20, 2026.

**Exercise LAMITIYE 2026** focuses on **counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief (HADR), and maritime security operations in the Indian Ocean Region**. It is held at Seychelles Defence Academy, Victoria, from March 9–20, 2026 — the first tri-service edition of this India-Seychelles exercise.

**Exercise LAMITIYE 2026** is strategically important as it focuses on **maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region** — a critical area for India's blue-water naval strategy. The 11th edition was the **first tri-service exercise** (Army, Navy, Air Force) with Seychelles, deploying **INS Trikand** and **IAF C-130**.

The 11th edition of **Exercise LAMITIYE 2026** (March 9–20, 2026) was different because it was **upgraded to a tri-service format** for the **first time**, involving **Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force** alongside Seychelles Defence Forces. Previous editions were primarily army-centric bilateral exercises.