The 21st edition of Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2025 has officially begun in Fort Wainwright, Alaska, marking yet another milestone in the deepening India–US defense partnership. An Indian Army contingent has joined hands with the US 11th Airborne Division for this annual bilateral drill, scheduled from September 1 to 14, 2025. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability, coordination, and readiness across a wide range of operational domains, reflecting the evolving nature of modern warfare.

Key Focus Areas of Yudh Abhyas 2025

Unlike conventional military drills, this year’s edition of Yudh Abhyas is specifically designed for high-altitude combat and hybrid warfare scenarios. The joint exercises cover:

• Heliborne operations for quick troop deployment and evacuation.

• Mountain warfare training to prepare soldiers for difficult terrains and extreme conditions.

• Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and counter-UAS drills to deal with drone warfare and surveillance challenges.

• Joint tactical maneuvers for combined operational efficiency.

• Peacekeeping Operations (UN PKO) with a focus on humanitarian and conflict-resolution roles.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), these drills will help both sides strengthen readiness for multi-domain operations and bolster their capability to respond jointly in crisis situations.

India’s Expanding Military Diplomacy

Exercise Yudh Abhyas is not just a standalone India–US engagement, but a part of India’s growing network of military diplomacy. Over the years, India has conducted a diverse range of bilateral and multilateral exercises with partner nations, reflecting its role as a responsible global defense power.

These exercises are crucial for:

• Building trust and confidence among partner nations.

• Enhancing combat readiness through shared tactical knowledge.

• Projecting India’s military capability on global platforms.

• Securing strategic partnerships in a complex geopolitical environment.

Major Army Exercises by Country

India’s army conducts exercises with several key countries, strengthening bilateral and regional defense ties. Some of the most important ones include:

• France – SHAKTI: A bilateral exercise focusing on counter-terrorism operations and interoperability.

• Russia – INDRA: A trilateral drill (with Navy and Air Force) enhancing joint operations.

• USA – YUDH ABHYAS, VAJRA PRAHAR: Covering land operations and special forces training.

• Australia – AUSTRA HIND: Strengthening Indo-Pacific cooperation.

• Bangladesh – SAMPRITI: Conducted regularly to deepen military-to-military ties.

• China – HAND IN HAND: Focusing on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism in past editions.

• Indonesia – GARUDA SHAKTI: Enhancing defense ties in Southeast Asia.

• Kazakhstan – PRABAL DOSTYKK: Aimed at peacekeeping and counter-terrorism.

• Maldives – EKUVERIN: Focused on regional security in the Indian Ocean.

• Mongolia – NOMADIC ELEPHANT: Strengthening cooperation in mountain warfare.

• Myanmar – IMBEX: Defense diplomacy with a neighboring state.

• Nepal – SURYA KIRAN: One of the largest bilateral exercises India conducts.

• Oman – AL NAGAH: Focused on counter-insurgency and desert operations.

• Seychelles – LAMITIYE: Enhancing maritime defense cooperation.

• Sri Lanka – MITRA SHAKTI: Counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism focus.

• Thailand – MAITREE: Training for jungle warfare and humanitarian roles.

• United Kingdom – AJEYA WARRIOR: Improving interoperability with UK armed forces.

These exercises cover a wide spectrum of military operations, from counter-terrorism and mountain warfare to peacekeeping and disaster relief.

Indian Navy’s Expanding Role in Maritime Security

Alongside army drills, the Indian Navy plays a crucial role in ensuring regional and global maritime security. India participates in bilateral, trilateral, and multilateral naval exercises with nations across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

Some of the key naval drills include:

• MALABAR (India, USA, Japan, Australia) – A Quad naval exercise focusing on Indo-Pacific maritime security.

• VARUNA (India–France) – A longstanding bilateral naval partnership.

• LA PEROUSE (India, Australia, US, France, Japan, UK) – A multilateral maritime exercise.

• SEA DRAGON (India, USA, Japan, Canada, South Korea) – Anti-submarine warfare focus.

• KONKAN (India–UK) – Naval cooperation enhancing Atlantic–Indian Ocean links.

• AIME & IMDEX (India–ASEAN countries) – Strengthening maritime collaboration in Southeast Asia.

• BRIGHT STAR (India with 34 countries) – A massive multilateral naval drill.

• SALVEX (India–USA) – Focused on salvage and search operations.

• SLINEX (India–Sri Lanka) – Enhancing regional maritime security.

• SAMUDRA SHAKTI (India–Indonesia) – Bilateral cooperation in the Indian Ocean.

• AL-MOHED-AL-HINDI (India–Saudi Arabia) – Strengthening West Asian naval ties.

• India–France–UAE PASSEX – A trilateral naval drill showcasing India’s growing Gulf presence.

• KAMODO (India with 36 countries) – A large multilateral engagement.

• AUSINDEX (India–Australia) – Strengthening Indo-Pacific naval cooperation.

• SIMBEX (India–Singapore) – Enhancing defense partnership in Southeast Asia.

These naval exercises not only enhance combat capability but also focus on maritime domain awareness, anti-piracy operations, disaster relief, and humanitarian assistance.

Strategic and Geopolitical Significance

The start of Yudh Abhyas 2025 comes at a time when both India and the US are navigating complex geopolitical issues, including trade negotiations and tariff disputes. However, defense officials emphasize that the strategic partnership between the two countries remains strong, with military-to-military cooperation acting as a stabilizing factor.

Military diplomacy is also becoming an important tool of foreign policy for India, helping it balance ties between multiple global powers while safeguarding its strategic autonomy.

The Road Ahead

With the launch of Yudh Abhyas 2025, India has once again demonstrated its commitment to strengthening global defense ties. As the exercise continues through mid-September, it will not only enhance India’s military readiness but also reinforce its status as a key defense partner in the Indo-Pacific region.

Moving forward, India’s expanding portfolio of military exercises—both army and navy—will continue to strengthen its global standing, foster cooperation, and ensure preparedness for emerging threats in an increasingly uncertain security environment.

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