Arabian Sea Heats Up: India, Pakistan Issue Back-To-Back NOTAMs For Missile Tests

Last Updated:April 17, 2026, 10:12 IST

Additionally, Indian spy ships are believed to be deployed in the Arabian Sea to monitor developments, while Pakistani naval frigates are on an official visit to Sri Lanka.

India and Pakistan have issued fresh navigational warnings in the Arabian Sea, signalling a new round of planned missile testing activity in a region that has long remained strategically sensitive for both neighbours.

According to official notices, Pakistan has declared a testing window beginning 0300 hours on April 20 and extending until 1500 hours on April 21. India has followed with its own notification, marking a longer exercise period from 0930 hours on April 22 to 2130 hours on April 25. Such alerts, known as Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) and maritime advisories, are routinely issued to warn civilian aircraft and shipping to steer clear of designated zones during military exercises.

The areas marked out for these tests are located in the Arabian Sea, not far from each other’s maritime boundaries, underlining the parallel nature of the exercises. Pakistan’s notified zone reportedly spans around 200 kilometre, while India’s extends to nearly 400 kilometre, roughly double in size, indicating a broader operational envelope for its drills.

While both countries frequently conduct missile tests as part of routine military preparedness, the near-simultaneous timing has drawn attention. India and Pakistan are both missile powers with a range of conventional and nuclear-capable systems, and such tests are typically pre-planned and communicated through established protocols to avoid misunderstandings or escalation.

Adding another layer to the situation are reports suggesting heightened naval activity in the region. Indian surveillance vessels are believed to be deployed in the Arabian Sea to monitor developments, while Pakistani naval frigates are reportedly on an official visit to Sri Lanka. Though such deployments can be routine, their timing alongside missile test notifications has contributed to speculation about increased vigilance on both sides.

This latest round of parallel missile test notifications also comes nearly a year after Operation Sindoor.

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