The Indian Army will be participating in the 19th edition of the Yudh Abhyas Exercise 2023 with the United States of America (USA) in the icy state of Alaska. The exercise will entail exchanging the best practices aimed at enhancing interoperability and strengthening the bond between the two armies. The joint exercise will take place from September 25, 2023, to October 8, 2023, at Wainright, Alaska, United States of America (USA)
“The Indian Army Contingent will be participating in the 19th edition of the Joint military exercise Yudh Abhyas at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, USA. The exercise will entail exchanging best practices and enhancing the interoperability to mutually learn from each other and strengthen the bond between the two Armies,” the official Twitter handle of the Indian Army posted on X (formerly called Twitter). A total of 350 Indian Soldiers will participate in the exercise under the leadership of a Brigadier.
What is Yudh Abhyas?
Yudh Abhyas is called one of the largest running joint military training and defence cooperation between the US and India. This exercise has been active since its inception in the year 2004. It is done at the battalion level and the Joint Planning of the Yudh Abhyas is done at the Brigade Level. The exercise aims to mobilise cooperation in defence to meet the unforeseen contingency of the future across the globe. The exercise involves military training, cultural exchanges, building of joint operational skills, development of friendship and exchange of knowledge.
Yudh Abhyas 2023
This is the 19th edition of the joint exercise, which is alternatively held between the two militaries. The training schedule focuses on the employment of an integrated battle group under Chapter-& of the UN Mandate. It will include all operations related to peacekeeping and peace enforcement. Additionally, it will focus on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
The troops from both nations will practise swift and coordinated relief efforts in the wake of any natural calamity and this edition will be witnessing the employment of coalition-integrated battle groups in the mountains and extreme climatic conditions. Heliborne and airborne platforms will be used.
Other Exercises with the US
Apart from the Yudh Abhyas, which involves the participation of ground forces or terrestrial forces, India and the USA participate in the following exercises, such as COPE India (between the Air Forces of the US and India) The special forces of the US and India participate in an exercise called Vajra Prahar. As far as multilateral exercises are concerned, the US and Indian Forces actively participate in the Malabar Exercise (QUAD) along with Japan and Australian navies and other joint training such as REDFLAG and RIMPAC.
Indo-US Defence Cooperation
The US is one of the top arms suppliers to India, and these cooperations in defence will increase the strength of India’s armed forces. India’s defence cooperation is beneficial for enhancing strategic stability, which is essential for defence. They also act as a platform to exchange and learn from each other’s experiences in combat operations. It will also enhance cooperation in the fields of defence manufacturing, engineering, logistics, etc.
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