While not a thing of the past, it has been around four months since India’s retaliatory strike against Pakistan – Operation Sindoor. However, the tensions between the nuclear-armed countries still seem to be on the edge. Around a month after air drills in Rajasthan, the IAF is holding a military exercise in the Arabian Sea.

The Indian Air Force is conducting a two-day military exercise in the Arabian Sea, close to the regions of Gujarat and Rajasthan. The drill commenced around 11 am on September 2, 2025 and continue until 2 pm on September 3, 2025. The location chosen for the exercise is near Pakistan’s airspace, though the IAF has clarified that this is a routine operation.

The exercise is being held in the waters just about 200 nautical miles from Karachi and the danger zone also approaches as close as 70 nautical miles to Pakistan controlled airspace in the region .

A NOTAM, or Notice to Air Missions, has been issued to inform relevant aviation personnel.

What Is NOTAM?

Short for Notice to Airmen, a NOTAM is a formal notice used in aviation to share important updates or warnings about specific areas or situations. It alerts pilots and other flight operators to conditions that may not be published in time through regular channels. Rather than covering standard procedures, it focuses on unusual or temporary changes that could affect flight safety or operations.

These notices include information about the setup, status or changes to any aviation facility, service, or potential risk within the National Airspace System. The format and language used in NOTAMs are specially designed to allow quick and clear communication.

They are issued by airport authorities and government agencies, following international guidelines set by the Aeronautical Information Services under the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

India holding military drills with the US amid trade tensions?

In another development, the Indian Army is taking part in joint tactical drills with the United States Army in Alaska. The exercise, which runs from September 1 to 14, 2025, involves coordinated use of artillery, aviation and electronic warfare systems. This marks the 21st edition of the India-US military exercise known as ‘Yudh Abhyas 2025’, held at Fort Wainwright.

This year’s exercise comes at a time when diplomatic relations between India and the United States are under strain, largely due to trade and tariff policies introduced by President Donald Trump. India has sent troops from the Madras Regiment, while the US will be represented by soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, also known as the ‘Bobcats’, part of the Arctic Wolves Brigade Combat Team of the 11th Airborne Division.