A 14-day long 17th Edition of India-US joint training Military exercise ‘Ex Yudh Abhyas 21’ was commenced on October 15, 2021 at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson in Alaska, United States (US). It will culminate on October 29, 2021 after a 48 hours long validation.
Focus of Exercise:
i.A joint training in a Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorism environment under the United Nations (UN) mandate
ii.Enhancing understanding, cooperation and inter-operability between two Armies
Participants:
i.350 soldiers of 7 MADRAS Infantry Battalion Group of Indian Army
ii.300 US Army soldiers belonging to First Squadron (Airborne) of the 40th Cavalry Regiment
How is this exercise helpful?
It facilitates both armies to share their wide experiences and enhance their tactical level drills through information exchange. This will also help them in undertaking joint operations at the Battalion level in mountainous terrain with cold climatic conditions.
Key Points:
i. Major General Brian Eifler is the Commander of US Army, Alaska.
ii.This is the only India-U.S. service exercise continuing in bilateral format.
- The India-U.S. Malabar naval exercise became trilateral in 2015 with the addition of Japan and further became Quad in 2020 together with the inclusion of Australia.
- Japan joined the India-U.S. bilateral air exercise, Cope India, as an Observer in 2018 and the plan is to make it trilateral in phases.
- India and the U.S. also hold a tri-service exercise namely ‘Tiger Triumph’.
iii.Ex Yudh Abhyas is the largest running joint military training and defence cooperation endeavor between India and USA hosted alternately between both countries.
iv.The previous version of this exercise was held at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Bikaner, Rajasthan in February 2021.
Recent Related News:
On 1st September 2021, Indian Army took part in “KAZIND-21” – a joint military exercise between India and Kazakhstan at Aisha Bibi village of Kazakhstan. 90 soldiers from Indian Army participated in the 5th edition of the KAZIND, an annual bilateral exercise, that is planned to be held between September 1 to 10, 2021.
About United States (US):
Capital– Washington, D.C.
Currency– United States Dollar
President– Joseph Robinette Biden Jr.
