Defence Services Command and Staff College

EXERCISE TRIDENT_2025

Exercise Trident is a standard naval estimate writing assignment under real time scenario in the light of adversary’s effort to destabilize development goals of Sri Lanka whilst instilling fear psychosis among general public by means of hostilities/terror attack. This is an individual exercise for naval Course Participants and evaluated as a Red Ink Correction (RIC). During this exercise, Course Participants (CPs) act as members of operational staff under real time scenarios. This exercise enhances the Course Participants’ ability of logical thinking and perceiving realistic threats while developing best plan to counter enemy actions. Further, it inculcates importance in operational planning and decision-making process practiced in the Sri Lanka Navy; through the naval estimate process.

The exercise was conducted from 22 to 26 September 2025 at Naval Dockyard, Trincomalee. Course Participants were exposed to a wide range of activities, including comprehensive briefings by the Command Operations Staff, visits to key security places within the Naval Dockyard, and a harbour reconnaissance. They also got opportunity to visit Trincomalee Oil Tank Farms during the visit. These engagements enabled CPs to successfully complete the exercise while strengthening their knowledge and application of the naval planning process in a realistic operational environment.

Adding prestige and distinction to the event, the Commandant of the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Major General HHKSS Hewage RWP, RSP, USP, rcds, psc, graced the exercise on 22 September 2025. During his one-day official visit to the Naval Dockyard, the Commandant paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Area Commander of the Eastern Naval Area and attended the operational staff security briefing, further underlining the importance of the exercise in enhancing operational readiness and coordination.

Exercise Trident 2025 thus not only provided Course Participants with a valuable opportunity to apply theoretical concepts in a practical setting but also underscored the professional standards, operational culture, and decision-making ethos expected of future military leaders.

EXERCISE TRIDENT_2025