The Indian Army has announced the commencement of the 15th edition of Exercise Vajra Prahar 2024, a collaborative military exercise with the United States Army Special Forces. This significant event is scheduled to take place from November 2 to November 22 at the Orchard Combat Training Centre in Idaho, USA.
According to an official statement from the Indian Army shared on X (formerly Twitter), the primary objective of Exercise Vajra Prahar is to enhance military cooperation and strengthen interoperability between the Indian and US armed forces. The exercise aims to foster jointness and facilitate a mutual exchange of special operations tactics. The statement emphasised the spirit of collaboration, stating, “Two nations, one mission: Training together for peace.”
Designed to promote the exchange of best practices and experiences, Exercise Vajra Prahar will focus on crucial aspects such as joint mission planning and operational tactics. This initiative highlights the commitment of both nations to work closely together in addressing common security challenges.
Exercise Vajra Prahar was first initiated in 2010 in India and has evolved into an annual event that continues to strengthen ties between the two military forces. The previous edition, the 14th iteration, took place at the Umroi Cantonment in Meghalaya from November 21 to December 11, 2023. Last year’s exercise featured rigorous training in special operations, emphasising counter-terrorism and airborne tactics, while simulating both conventional and unconventional scenarios in mountainous terrain.
Now a well-established framework, Exercise Vajra Prahar serves as a dynamic platform for Indian and US Special Forces to share insights, refine tactical practices, and enhance defence cooperation. This exercise plays a critical role in improving interoperability between the two armies, further solidifying their strategic partnership in addressing global security challenges.
The announcement of the exercise coincides with a telephonic conversation between Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. During their discussion, they addressed “regional security developments,” emphasising the importance of continued efforts to ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific region and globally.
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