INDIAN ARMY CONTINGENT DEPARTS FOR INDIA - USA JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE YUDH ABHYAS 2025

IN NEWS: Indian Army Contingent Departs for India–USA Joint Military Exercise ‘Yudh Abhyas 2025’

UPSC STYLE ANALYSIS

1. Context:
   An Indian Army contingent has departed for Fort Wainwright, Alaska (USA) to participate in the 21st edition of the India–USA Joint Military Exercise ‘Yudh Abhyas 2025’, scheduled from 1st to 14th September 2025.
2. Participating Units:
   • Indian Side: Personnel from a battalion of the Madras Regiment.
   • US Side: Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment “Bobcats”, part of the Arctic Wolves Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, USA.
3. Exercise Focus Areas:
   • Rehearsal of tactical drills across diverse terrains and conditions.
   • Key operations include:
     • Heliborne operations
     • Employment of surveillance and unmanned aerial systems (UAS)
     • Rock craft and mountain warfare training
     • Casualty evacuation and combat medical aid
     • Integrated use of Artillery, Aviation, and Electronic Warfare systems
4. Knowledge Exchange:
   • Subject Matter Expert (SME)working groups from both sides will collaborate on:
     • UAS and Counter-UAS operations
     • Information warfare and communications
     • Logistics and operational coordination
5. Exercise Outcome:
   • The exercise will culminate in jointly planned and executed tactical manoeuvres, including:
     • Live-fire exercises
     • High-altitude warfare simulations
   • Focus on enhancing interoperability, capability for UN peacekeeping operations, and preparedness for multi-domain challenges.
6. Significance:
   • Strengthens defence cooperation and strategic partnership between India and the United States.
   • Reinforces shared commitment to global peacekeeping and humanitarian operations.
   • Builds experience in extreme weather and high-altitude operational environments, particularly relevant for Arctic and Himalayan conditions.

STATIC PART (RELEVANT FOR UPSC)

1. Exercise Yudh Abhyas:
   • Type: Annual bilateral military exercise between the Indian Army and US Army.
   • Started in: 2004 under the framework of India–US Defence Cooperation.
   • Objective: To enhance joint operational capabilities, interoperability, and strategic coordination in varied combat situations.
2. Fort Wainwright, Alaska:
   • A key training location for the US Army designed for Arctic and cold-weather operations.
   • Provides realistic high-altitude and sub-zero conditions for tactical training.
3. Madras Regiment:
   • One of the oldest infantry regiments of the Indian Army, established in 1758.
   • Renowned for mountain and counter-insurgency operations.
4. United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKO):
   • India is among the largest troop contributors to UN peacekeeping missions globally.
   • Exercises like Yudh Abhyas enhance India’s ability to participate in multinational humanitarian and security operations.

Updated – 01 Sep 2025 ; 05:45 PM | PIB Delhi