Important Army Exercise for UPSC Prelims

Learning important Army Exercise is crucial for UPSC Prelims. These military exercises give insights into how countries interact, their preparedness for conflicts, and broader geopolitical dynamics. In a nutshell, knowledge of military exercises is essential for a well-rounded understanding of current affairs and global politics, which are key areas in competitive exams like the UPSC.

Important Army Exercises:

Yudh Abhyas

Yudh Abhyas is the biggest bilateral joint military drill conducted between India and the United States.
Initiated in 2002, Yudh Abhyas serves as a platform for enhancing defense collaboration between the two nations.
The most recent installment, the 19th edition of the Yudh Abhyas Exercise, occurred from September 25th to October 8th, 2023, at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, USA.
It is hosted alternatively by India and United States.
Additionally, the exercise seeks to foster mutual understanding and build trust between India and the United States.

Exercise Vajra Prahar

Vajra Prahar is conducted between USA and India Special Armed Forces.
The 14th edition of the Indo-US Joint Special Forces exercise, “VAJRA PRAHAR 2023,” began at Umroi’s (Joint Training Node) Meghalaya.
VAJRA PRAHAR focuses on the Indian Army and US Army Special Forces sharing best practices and experiences in joint mission planning and operational tactics.
The exercise commenced in India in 2010, with the 13th edition taking place at the Special Forces Training School (SFTS), Bakloh (HP).

Exercise Ajeya Warrior

Ajeya Warrior is conducted biennially between United Kingdom and India. It is hosted alternatively by United Kingdom and India.
Soldiers from the UK’s 2 Royal Gorkha Rifles and Indian Army soldiers from the BIHAR Regiment are taking part in the exercise.
The main goals are to strengthen military relations, adopt each other’s best practices, and enhance the ability to work together effectively.
It aims at fostering interoperability, building friendships, and boosting camaraderie between the two armies.

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Exercise Sampriti

SAMPRITI-XI is an annual joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh.
Both countries alternately organize the exercise, demonstrating strong bilateral defense cooperation.
Its focus is on improving interoperability, sharing tactical drills, and promoting best practices between the two armies.
Personnel from various units like artillery and engineers from both sides will participate.
The exercise center on Sub-Conventional Operations as per Chapter VII of the UN mandate and include a Command Post Exercise (CPX) and a Field Training Exercise (FTX), ending with a Validation Exercise.
SAMPRITI-XI (2023) aims to strengthen defense cooperation between India and Bangladesh, leading to deeper bilateral relations, cultural understanding, and mutual benefits from shared experiences in Sub-Conventional Operations.

Exercise Surya Kiran

This is a joint military exercise between the Indian army and the Nepali army.
It occurs once a year and alternates between both countries for its location.
A battalion from the Kumaon Regiment leads the Indian Army contingent, while the Tara Dal Battalion represents the Nepal Army contingent.
The exercise aims to improve interoperability in jungle warfare, counter-terrorism operations in mountainous terrain, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief following the UN Charter on peacekeeping operations.
It will focus on utilizing drones and implementing counter-drone measures, medical training, aviation aspects, and environmental conservation.
It highlights the strong bonds of friendship, trust, and common cultural ties between India and Nepal.

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Ekuverin

The annual bilateral exercise Ekuverin, which means ‘Friends’ alternates between being conducted in India and Maldives.
The 11th edition took place in Maldives, and the 12th edition aims to improve interoperability in Counter Insurgency/Counter Terrorism Operations under the UN mandate.
The exercise also focuses on conducting joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations.
Its purpose is to share best practices and enhance coordination and cooperation between both forces at the tactical level.
The exercise, Ex Ekuverin, further strengthens these ties, contributing to the close economic, cultural, and military relations between the two nations.

Dharma Guardian

Exercise Dharma Guardian is an annual joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the Japanese Ground Self Defence Force, which began in 2018.
It aims to enhance tactical skills for combating global terrorism and promote interoperability and Army-to-Army relations between India and Japan.
Given the current global security challenges faced by both countries, this exercise is crucial.
The exercise involves platoon-level joint training in jungle and semi-urban/urban terrain, with troops from the Garhwal Rifles Regiment of the Indian Army and an Infantry Regiment from the Japan Ground Self Defence Force participating.
It emphasizes physical fitness, tactical drills, and operations under UN mandates, fostering camaraderie and situational awareness.

Exercise Austra-Hind

AUSTRAHIND-23 is a joint military exercise involving the participation from the Indian Armed Forces and Australian Forces for collaborative training.
Participants from the Indian contingent include personnel from a Battalion of the GORKHA Rifles, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force, while the Australian contingent comprises personnel from the 13th Brigade of the Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, and Royal Australian Air Force.
The purpose of the exercise is to foster collaborative partnerships, share best practices, and enhance interoperability between the Indian and Australian Armed Forces.
Objectives include promoting the exchange of tactical ideas, rehearsing procedures for tactical operations such as sniper firing, surveillance, communication, and casualty management, with an emphasis on tactical actions at the Company/Battalion level.
In 2022, Exercise AUSTRAHIND held its first edition in Mahajan, Rajasthan.

Harimau Shakti

‘Exercise Harimau Shakti 2023’ was conducted in Umroi Cantonment, Meghalaya India.
It’s a joint bilateral training exercise between the Indian and Malaysian armies, and this marks the 5th edition.
The aim is to enhance defense cooperation between the two countries’ armies, strengthening bilateral ties.
The Royal Battalion of the Malaysian Army provides the Malaysian contingent, while a battalion from the Rajput Regiment represents the Indian contingent.
The focus of the 2023 exercise was to enhance military capabilities for conducting Multi-Domain Operations in unique situations.
Both contingents will establish a Joint Command Post and an integrated surveillance system during the exercise.

Nomadic Elephant

Nomadic Elephant exercise is held between India and Mongolia.
The exercise focuses on training troops in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations as mandated by the United Nations.
This joint exercise will strengthen defense cooperation and military relations between Mongolia and India.
It serves as an excellent platform for both armies to exchange experiences, share best practices, and benefit mutually from the joint training.

Exercise Khaan Quest

A multinational peacekeeping joint exercise named “Ex Khaan Quest 2023” has commenced in Mongolia. Exercise involves military contingents and observers from more than 20 countries taking part.
The exercise aims to improve interoperability among participating nations, share experiences, and train personnel for United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKO).
Its goal is to equip participants for future UN Peacekeeping missions, build peace operations capabilities, and enhance military readiness.

Exercise Dustlik

DUSTLIK is a training exercise held every two years, involving the armies of India and Uzbekistan.
The objective is to improve military capabilities for conducting multi-domain operations in a sub-conventional scenario.
The inaugural edition of the joint military exercise occurred in Tashkent in 2019.

Mitra Shakti

This is a joint military exercise between the armies of India and Sri Lanka.
The Indian contingent primarily consists of troops from the MARATHA LIGHT INFANTRY Regiment.
Both Indian and Sri Lankan Air Force personnel are also taking part, making this the first bilateral and bi-service exercise.
Activities will include joint responses to counter-terrorist operations. It will provide additional focus on Army Martial Arts Routine (AMAR), combat reflex shooting, and Yoga.
During the exercise, the participants will use drones, counter unmanned aerial systems, and helicopters.
The goal is to enhance interoperability among troops and prioritize UN peacekeeping operation objectives.

Other Important Army Exercises:

Internal Exercise

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