India has long been recognized as a strong military power in South Asia. With its strategic location and evolving international relations, the country regularly conducts military exercises with a wide range of partner nations. These exercises serve several purposes, including improving tactical skills, fostering international cooperation, and enhancing diplomatic relationships.

Let’s explore India’s military exercises planned for 2024-2025, along with their global significance.

Military Exercises of India

Military exercises play a crucial role in enhancing the operational readiness and preparedness of the armed forces. India’s military exercises are a mix of bilateral, multilateral, and trilateral formats, with a strong focus on defense cooperation, counter-terrorism, peacekeeping, and humanitarian assistance. The exercises also involve simulated warfare, live combat training, disaster response scenarios, and joint counter-insurgency operations.

List of Military Exercises of India 2024-25

Here is a list of major military exercises that India participated in during 2024-25:

Joint Multilateral Military Exercises

Military Exercises of India with Other Countries

India conducts various military exercises with countries worldwide to enhance defense cooperation. Notable ones include “Yudh Abhyas” with the U.S., “Indra” with Russia, “Mitra Shakti” with Sri Lanka, “Shakti” with France, and “Sampriti” with Bangladesh.

Here are some of the major military exercises in detail:

1. India – United States (India-US Military Exercises)

The military relationship between India and the United States has strengthened significantly in recent years, and this is reflected in their joint exercises. Some of the prominent exercises include:

• Yudh Abhyas (India-US)

A key annual bilateral exercise focusing on counter-terrorism, peacekeeping operations, and complex tactical operations. The exercise involves a wide range of forces including army, air force, and special forces.

• Vajra Prahar (India-US)

This joint exercise focuses on enhancing special operations and counter-terrorism skills. It also includes training in urban warfare, counter-insurgency, and handling complex situations in conflict zones.

• Red Flag (India-US)

A multilateral air exercise held in the US, where Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel train alongside NATO and other allied air forces. This helps improve interoperability between air forces.

2. India – United Kingdom (India-UK Military Exercises)

India shares a strong military relationship with the UK, and their joint exercises focus on counter-terrorism, humanitarian missions, and peacekeeping operations.

• Ajeya Warrior (India-UK)

Held annually, this exercise aims to increase interoperability between Indian and British Army personnel. The focus areas include counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations in rugged terrains.

• Indradhanush (India-UK)

A joint air force exercise focusing on increasing operational compatibility between the Indian Air Force and the Royal Air Force (RAF). It involves fighter jet operations, combat tactics, and air defense exercises.

3. India – France (India-France Military Exercises)

India’s defense ties with France have grown substantially, particularly in areas like counter-terrorism, nuclear security, and defense technology.

• Shakti (India-France)

This annual exercise focuses on counter-terrorism and peacekeeping, with both nations’ armies conducting joint training in a range of simulated combat situations.

• Garuda (India-France)

A biennial joint air exercise, Garuda is designed to enhance the interoperability of Indian and French Air Forces in complex scenarios, such as air combat and operations in hostile environments.

4. India – China (India-China Military Exercises)

Historically, India and China have had limited military exercises due to border tensions and geopolitical concerns. However, there have been some areas of cooperation, particularly in peacekeeping and border security.

• Hand-in-Hand (India-China)

This bilateral exercise aims at improving cooperation between the Indian and Chinese armies, focusing on counter-terrorism and humanitarian assistance in post-disaster situations. The exercise is often conducted in neutral zones or border areas.

5. India – Nepal (India-Nepal Military Exercises)

India and Nepal share a long-standing relationship in defense cooperation. Their military exercises are an important part of this strategic partnership.

• Surya Kiran (India-Nepal)

This exercise involves both the armies conducting joint training focused on counter-insurgency and disaster relief operations. It is held periodically at various locations in Nepal and India.

6. India – Russia (India-Russia Military Exercises)

India’s strategic relationship with Russia has always been robust, especially in defense cooperation. They regularly conduct joint exercises, often focusing on counter-terrorism and naval operations.

• INDRA (India-Russia)

Held annually, this exercise aims to improve counter-terrorism cooperation and military interoperability between the two countries. It involves both the army and air force of India and Russia.

India – Other Countries

India engages in numerous multilateral military exercises with various countries, focusing on strengthening defense ties and enhancing operational interoperability. Notable exercises include the “Malabar Exercise” (India, Japan, and Australia) and “LIMA” (India-Malaysia). India also conducts joint drills such as “Mitra Shakti” with Sri Lanka, “Sampriti” with Bangladesh, and with the Maldives, which promote regional cooperation.

In addition, India participates in exercises with Singapore, Japan, and several other nations, focusing on maritime security, counter-terrorism, and peacekeeping operations. These exercises are crucial in fostering strategic partnerships, ensuring regional stability, and enhancing military readiness for various contingencies.

India’s Multilateral Military Exercises

India also participates in various multilateral exercises that involve several countries. These exercises aim to foster regional security cooperation and enhance the operational capacity of the armed forces. Some of the important multilateral exercises include:

1. Malabar Exercise

One of the most significant naval exercises in the Indo-Pacific region, Malabar brings together the United States, Japan, and India. It focuses on naval operations, maritime security, anti-submarine warfare, and humanitarian assistance.

2. Cope India

A biennial exercise between India and the United States Air Force, Cope India focuses on enhancing mutual understanding in air operations, including combat skills, tactics, and operational coordination.

3. AUSINDEX (India-Australia)

This is a bilateral naval exercise designed to improve interoperability and strengthen defense ties between India and Australia. The focus is on anti-submarine warfare, maritime surveillance, and humanitarian missions.

4. RIMPAC (India’s Participation in RIMPAC)

India has been participating in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, which is the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise. This exercise involves over 20 nations and focuses on naval operations, maritime security, and disaster response.

India’s Strategic Military Partnerships

India’s military exercises with other nations reflect its broader strategic and defense policy goals. The country focuses on strengthening military-to-military ties with like-minded democracies, especially in the Indo-Pacific region. This is evident in its increasing defense collaboration with the United States, Japan, Australia, and countries in Europe.

1. Indo-Pacific Focus

The United States, Japan, and Australia are key strategic partners for India in the region. Exercises like Malabar and AUSINDEX reflect India’s growing military presence and engagement in the Indo-Pacific, especially in the context of countering China’s influence in the region.

2. Closer Ties with ASEAN Nations

India has increased military cooperation with Southeast Asian nations, engaging in joint exercises and developing deeper defense partnerships, particularly with countries like Singapore and Vietnam.

3. Collaboration with Middle Eastern Countries

India’s defense ties with the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia have also grown, focusing on maritime security, counter-terrorism, and regional stability.

Future Trends

The future of India’s military exercises lies in:

• Expanding Multilateral Engagements: As India seeks to enhance its global strategic footprint, it will increasingly engage in multilateral military exercises, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Focus on Cyber and Space Operations: With growing threats in cyberspace and outer space, future military exercises may focus on cyber warfare, space defense, and electromagnetic warfare.
• Advanced Technological Integration: The use of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, drone warfare, and network-centric operations, is expected to be increasingly incorporated into India’s military exercises with its partners.

Military Exercises of India FAQs

Q1. What are the key military exercises between India and the United States?
Answer: India and the U.S. conduct significant exercises like “Yudh Abhyas,” focusing on counter-terrorism and peacekeeping, and “Vajra Prahar,” which enhances special operations and urban warfare skills. These exercises improve operational coordination between the two forces.

Q2. Does India engage in military exercises with China?
Answer: India and China conduct the “Hand-in-Hand” exercise, which emphasizes counter-terrorism and humanitarian assistance during disaster situations. It aims to improve cooperation between the Indian and Chinese armies despite their historical border tensions.

Q3. What are the key military exercises between India and Nepal?
Answer: India and Nepal hold the “Surya Kiran” exercise, focusing on counter-insurgency and disaster relief operations. It helps enhance mutual understanding and strengthens the defense cooperation between both nations’ armies.

Q4. What are India’s military exercises with Russia?
Answer: India and Russia regularly conduct the “INDRA” exercise, which focuses on counter-terrorism and improving military interoperability. The joint training involves both armies and air forces to enhance tactical coordination and operational readiness.

Q5. What are India’s multilateral military exercises?
Answer: India participates in multilateral exercises like the “Malabar” (with Japan and the U.S.), “AUSINDEX” (with Australia), and “RIMPAC” (involving 20+ nations). These exercises focus on enhancing maritime security, counter-terrorism, and regional defense cooperation.