Military exercises serve as crucial platforms for countries to enhance their defense capabilities, foster bilateral relations, and promote interoperability between armed forces. India, being a significant player in the global geopolitical landscape, actively participates in joint military exercises with various nations across the world. Lets know Military Exercises Conducted by India.
Military Exercises Conducted by India:-
These exercises not only contribute to strengthening India’s defense forces but also provide opportunities for mutual learning and cooperation. In this article, we present a comprehensive list of military exercises conducted by India with other countries, showcasing India’s commitment to regional and global security.
- Indra: Indra is a series of bilateral exercises conducted between India and Russia. It aims to strengthen the defense cooperation and interoperability between the armed forces of both nations. The exercises involve joint tactical drills, counter-terrorism operations, and strategic cooperation. Indra exercises have played a vital role in fostering the long-standing friendship between India and Russia.
- Malabar: The Malabar series of naval exercises involve India, the United States, Japan, and occasionally Australia. Initially, it was a bilateral exercise between India and the United States, but Japan became a permanent participant in 2015. The exercises focus on enhancing naval cooperation, interoperability, and maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region. Malabar exercises involve complex maritime operations, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
- Varuna: Varuna is a bilateral naval exercise conducted between India and France. It aims to enhance maritime cooperation, interoperability, and mutual understanding between the two navies. The exercises involve anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, air defense, and information sharing. Varuna exercises reinforce the strong defense ties between India and France and contribute to stability in the Indian Ocean Region.
- Garuda: Garuda is a series of joint air exercises conducted between India and France. It focuses on enhancing operational coordination, interoperability, and understanding between the Indian Air Force and the French Air Force. The exercises involve various air combat maneuvers, air defense operations, and joint mobility exercises. Garuda exercises provide a platform for sharing best practices and improving the combat capabilities of both air forces.
- Yudh Abhyas: Yudh Abhyas is an annual joint military exercise conducted between India and the United States. It aims to strengthen the interoperability and cooperation between the armies of both nations in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations. The exercises involve tactical drills, urban warfare simulations, and joint planning exercises. Yudh Abhyas exercises have been instrumental in building a robust military partnership between India and the United States.
- Sampriti: Sampriti is a joint military exercise conducted between India and Bangladesh. It focuses on enhancing the interoperability and coordination between the armies of both countries in counter-terrorism and disaster management operations. The exercises involve joint tactical drills, live-fire exercises, and sharing of best practices. Sampriti exercises strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the armed forces of India and Bangladesh.
- Surya Kiran: Surya Kiran is a series of military exercises conducted between India and Nepal. It aims to enhance the bilateral relations and interoperability between the armies of both nations. The exercises involve joint tactical drills, counter-terrorism operations, and disaster response simulations. Surya Kiran exercises contribute to the close historical and cultural ties between India and Nepal.
- Hand-in-Hand: The Hand-in-Hand exercise is conducted between the Indian Army and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China. The exercise focuses on joint counter-terrorism operations, disaster management, and enhancing mutual trust and understanding between the two armies.
- Shakti: Shakti is a series of bilateral exercises conducted between India and France. It involves the Indian Army and the French Army. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and cooperation in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations, along with sharing best practices.
- Nomadic Elephant: Nomadic Elephant is a bilateral exercise conducted between India and Mongolia. It focuses on enhancing cooperation and interoperability between the armies of both countries through tactical drills, field training exercises, and sharing of experiences in counter-terrorism and peacekeeping operations.
- Ajeya Warrior: Ajeya Warrior is a joint military exercise between India and the United Kingdom. The exercise aims to strengthen bilateral ties and enhance interoperability between the armies of both countries. It includes joint tactical exercises, combat drills, and sharing of experiences in counter-terrorism operations.
- Ekuverin: Ekuverin is a joint military exercise conducted between India and the Maldives. The exercise focuses on enhancing interoperability and cooperation between the armies of both nations in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations. It includes joint tactical exercises, live-firing drills, and sharing of expertise in jungle warfare.
- Slinex: Slinex is a joint naval exercise conducted between India and Sri Lanka. The exercise aims to enhance maritime cooperation and coordination between the navies of both countries. It includes various naval operations such as anti-piracy exercises, communication drills, and search and rescue operations.
- Bold Kurukshetra: Bold Kurukshetra is a joint military exercise conducted between India and Singapore. The exercise focuses on enhancing interoperability and cooperation between the armies of both nations. It includes joint tactical exercises, urban warfare simulations, and sharing of experiences in counter-terrorism operations.
List of Military Exercises in Tabular form:-
Here’s the updated table with the additional military exercises conducted by India:
| Exercise Name | Participating Countries |
|---|---|
| Indra | India, Russia |
| Malabar | India, United States, Japan, Australia (occasionally) |
| Varuna | India, France |
| Garuda | India, France |
| Yudh Abhyas | India, United States |
| Sampriti | India, Bangladesh |
| Surya Kiran | India, Nepal |
| Hand-in-Hand | India, China |
| Shakti | India, France |
| Nomadic Elephant | India, Mongolia |
| Ajeya Warrior | India, United Kingdom |
| Ekuverin | India, Maldives |
| Slinex | India, Sri Lanka |
| Bold Kurukshetra | India, Singapore |
| JIMEX | India, Japan |
| Shinyuu Maitri | India, Japan |
| Veer Guardian | India, Japan |
| Dharma Guardian | India, Japan |
India’s participation in joint military exercises with various nations reflects its commitment to regional and global security. These exercises not only enhance India’s defense capabilities but also foster mutual understanding, cooperation, and interoperability between armed forces. The list provided here represents just a fraction of the numerous military exercises conducted by India with other countries. Such engagements serve as vital building blocks in promoting peace, stability, and stronger defense partnerships on a global scale.
