EXERCISE DESERT HUNT 2025 - EMINENT MindX AI School

IN NEWS – Exercise Desert Hunt 2025

The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted Exercise Desert Hunt 2025, an integrated Tri-Service Special Forces exercise, at Air Force Station Jodhpur from 24 to 28 February 2025.
This exercise brought together elite Special Forces units from all three services — Para (SF) of the Indian Army, Marine Commandos (MARCOS) of the Indian Navy, and Garud Commandos of the Indian Air Force — to operate in a joint simulated combat environment.

To enhance interoperability and coordination among the three Special Forces wings.
To develop joint tactical capabilities for counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, and precision operations.
To test and validate joint doctrines through high-intensity training under realistic operational conditions.

The exercise included multiple complex operational scenariossuch as:
- Airborne insertion and combat free-fall missions.
- Precision strikes and urban warfare drills.
- Hostage rescue and counter-terrorism operations simulating real-world threats.
The forces trained in a high-stress, time-bound environment, aiming to strengthen rapid response capabilities in diverse terrains.
Senior military officials supervised the drill to evaluate and validate joint operational doctrines, ensuring better integration across services.

The exercise underscores India’s emphasis on Tri-Service integration, which is central to modern warfare and the Theater Command structure under development.
It reinforces India’s counter-terrorism preparedness, rapid deployment ability, and inter-service synergy.
Conducting the exercise in Jodhpur, a strategically located air base near the western frontier, holds operational importance for swift joint response during contingencies.

Para (Special Forces): Elite commandos of the Indian Army, trained for direct action, reconnaissance, and counter-terrorism missions.
MARCOS (Marine Commandos): Naval Special Forces capable of conducting amphibious warfare, hostage rescue, and special reconnaissance.
Garud Commando Force: Special Forces unit of the Indian Air Force specializing in airfield protection, combat search and rescue, and precision strikes.
Tri-Service Exercises: Conducted to ensure jointness — the seamless operational integration of Army, Navy, and Air Force assets and doctrines.
Air Force Station Jodhpur: A key Western Air Command base, often used for joint training due to its desert terrain and operational versatility.

Updated – 01 Mar 2025 ; 10:20 AM | PIB