List of Joint Military Exercises
List of
Joint Military Exercises
Keeping in mind the unpredictable nature of
UPSC, I have prepared short notes on each exercises as UPSC might ask question
for example:
Q. Choose
the correct option:
a. Yudh Abhyas
is a naval exercise between India and Russia
b. It is held
annually in India
Correct
Answer: None
Note:
This is the first edition of this series. Last part will be updated soon.
India + XYZ
|
Army
|
Navy
|
Air Force
|
USA
|
Yudh Abhyas;
Vajra Prahar
|
Malabar
|
Red Flag;
COPE
|
Japan
|
Malabar,
Sahyog-Kaijin
|
||
France
|
Shakti
|
Varuna
|
Garuda
|
Sri Lanka
|
Mitra Shakti
|
SLINEX
|
|
China
|
Hand in hand
|
||
Mongolia
|
Nomadic
Elephant
|
||
Nepal
|
Surya Kiran
|
||
Seychelles
|
LAMITYE
|
||
Kazakhstan
|
Prabal
Dostyk
|
||
UK
|
Ajeya
Warrior
|
Konkan
|
Indra
Dhanush
|
Singapore
|
Bold
Kurukshetra
|
SIMBEX and
MILAN
|
|
UAE
|
Desert Eagle
|
||
South
Africa, Brazil
|
IBSAMAR
|
||
Russia
|
Indra
|
Indra
Neva/Navy
|
Avia-Indra
|
INDIA-US
YUDH ABHYAS
Section
|
Army
|
Frequency
|
Annually
|
Location
|
held
between the two armies in their respective homeland every alternate year
|
Purpose - to stimulate a scenario where both nations
were working together to counter insurgency and counter terrorism (CICT) in
mountainous terrain under UN charter.
Abhyas’ series that started
in 2004 as part of US Army Pacific partnership programme
VAJRA
PRAHAR
Section
|
Army
(It is
the joint training exercise of the Special
Forces of India and the US)
|
Frequency
|
Not
regularly held (held after 4 years of gap in 2016)
|
Location
|
held
between the two armies in their respective homeland every alternate year
|
Purpose - to
improve interoperability and familiarisation of each other’s tactics
MALABAR TRILATERAL NAVAL EXERCISE
MALABAR TRILATERAL NAVAL EXERCISE
Section
|
Navy
|
Frequency
|
Annually
|
Location
|
Asia
Pacific region
|
Purpose: Increase
interoperability amongst the three navies and develop common understanding of
procedures for Maritime Security Operations.
The
exercise also aims to achieve deeper military ties and greater interoperability
amid rising tensions in the region.
The
exercise will support maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region and benefit
the global maritime community.
Location -
Since 2007, Malabar has been held alternatively off India and in the Western Pacific. In 2015, it was conducted off Chennai coast in Bay of Bengal and included participation of Japan making it trilateral naval exercise.
Since 2007, Malabar has been held alternatively off India and in the Western Pacific. In 2015, it was conducted off Chennai coast in Bay of Bengal and included participation of Japan making it trilateral naval exercise.
Alternatively
held in the Bay of Bengal and the Sea of Japan
Japan as a special invitee
RED FLAG
Section
|
Air
Force (multilateral exercise)
|
Frequency
|
Annually
(India taking part only once in 5 years)
|
Location
|
Alaska,
US
|
Purpose: provide an
opportunity to the pilots from the US, NATO and other allied countries to
practice and refine their skills for real combat situations
The
multilateral Red Flag Aerial combat
exercises between US, NATO and allied forces and India Air Force (IAF)
concluded in Alaska, US (2016)
This
was the second time India had participated in such an exercise after 2008.
Key facts
- Objective of
IAF’s participation in this inter-continental exercise was to showcase its
capability in undertaking integrated air operations and gain also
operational lessons.
About Red
Flag Air Exercises
- The Red Flag exercise is
advanced aerial combat training exercises, held periodically at the Nellis
Air Force Base since 1975.
- The exercises provide an
opportunity to the pilots from the US, NATO and other allied countries to
practice and refine their skills for real combat situations.
- India’s
Participation: Due to high cost of participation, IAF takes part in the
exercise once in every five year. For the first time IAF had participated
in 2008, and for second time it was scheduled in 2013 but the plan was
cancelled by the US following budget cuts.
COPE
Section – Air force
Location – India only
Cope India are a series of international Air Force exercises between the Indian Air
Force and the United States Air Force conducted on and over Indian soil.
INDIA AND
JAPAN
SAHAYOG-KAIJIN
(NAVY)
Section
|
Navy
|
Frequency
|
biennial
bilateral exercise held once in two years (venue would shift in both
countries on alternate occasions)
|
Location
|
Alternatively
held in both countries (2016 took place at the coast of Chennai, TN in the
Bay of Bengal)
|
Purpose - Anti-piracy
procedures, search and rescue operations and interoperability between the two
forces and other areas of common professional interest
Background
- Sahayog-Kaijin bilateral
exercise is a part of the cooperative arrangements between two Coast
Guards for the last 15 years.
MALABAR
(Navy)
Read
from India-US
INDIA AND
FRANCE
SHAKTI
– 2016 (ARMY)
Section
|
Army
|
Frequency
|
Not fixed
(2011, 2013, 2016)
|
Location
|
Not fixed
(2016 happened in Rajasthan)
|
Purpose - counter-terrorism
and counter-insurgency bilateral military exercise
The 2016 was the third edition in the series of bilateral exercises
under this banner. The first having been
held in 2011 in the foothills of the Himalayas and the second in 2013 in the
French Alps. (so not annually)
Key facts
- Shakti-2016 joint exercise aims at conducting infantry
tactical operations, combating conditioning in a counter-terrorism in
semi-urban conditions under the United Nations mandate.
- It will culminate the
tactical exercise encompassing clearing of pockets of terrorists in rural
and urban environment.
- These exercises are an integral part of the defence
dimension of the strategic partnership entered into by France and India in
1998
VARUNA
Section
|
Navy
|
Frequency
|
Annually
|
Location
(Fixed or not)
|
Dont know
|
Purpose - deriving mutual
benefit from the experiences of the two navies
- Following the establishment of strategic
partnership in 1998 between both countries, every year Indian Navy and
French Navy are conducting naval exercises.
- In 2001, the naval exercise was
christened as ‘Varuna’.
- 14th edition of Indo-French naval
exercise Varuna concluded on 2 May 2015 in Goa.
- Scope of exercise: It will include the entire
gamut of various maritime operations from aircraft carrier operations,
maritime interdiction operations, anti-submarines warfare exercises to
multi-ship replenishment exercise.
- VARUNA aims
at deriving mutual benefit from the experiences of the two navies.
GARUDA
Section
|
Air Force
|
Frequency
|
Not
regular
|
Location
(Fixed or not)
|
conducted alternately in France and India since
2003
|
Purpose - The objectives of the exercise
were to share
the know-how of French and Indian pilots and to enhance
interoperability and cooperation between French and Indian Air Forces,
including in the field of air refueling.
INDIA
AND SRI LANKA
MITRA SHAKTI
Section
|
Military/Army
|
Frequency
|
Annually
|
Location
(Fixed or not)
|
Not sure
(may be alternate as per trend)
|
Purpose - The main focus of 2017th
edition of joint exercise is to enhance inter-operability while carrying out
Counter Terrorism (CT) and Counter Insurgency (CI) operations under the UN
Mandate.
Exchange best of military practices of two countries and build
strong military-to-military (M2M) relation between two armies.
Background
The Mitra Shakti series of exercise between India and Sri Lanka
had started in 2012, mainly as a response to China’s efforts to increase its
influence in South Asia and Indian Ocean region. The armies of India and Sri
Lanka also serve together in the United Nations Peacekeeping missions.
SLINEX
Section
|
Navy
|
Frequency
|
Biennial
(2013, 2015, 2017)
|
Location
(Fixed or not)
|
Not sure
(may be alternatively held in both countries)
|
Purpose - Its mandate is to enable
navies of both countries to rehearse and improve their own capabilities and
enhance operational effectiveness required to maintain maritime security in
region.
SLINEX aims to promote mutual understanding and provide exposure to both the Navies to each others operating procedures, communication procedures, and best practices. This allows the two navies to develop greater confidence to operate together, if required, during complex maritime mission.
The SLINEX series of naval exercises were initiated in 2005.
SLINEX aims to promote mutual understanding and provide exposure to both the Navies to each others operating procedures, communication procedures, and best practices. This allows the two navies to develop greater confidence to operate together, if required, during complex maritime mission.
The SLINEX series of naval exercises were initiated in 2005.
INDIA
AND CHINA
HAND IN HAND
Section
|
Military
|
Frequency
|
Annual
|
Location
|
Alternatively
held in both countries
|
Purpose –
It started in 2007 as a confidence-building
measure between the two Asian giants and their armies.
The aim of the bilateral
military exercise is to share the expertise in drills and practices while
tackling insurgency and terrorism between Indian Army and People’s Liberation
Army of China.
Thus, it seeks to promote healthy military to military relations
between the two armies and developing joint strategies for conducting
operations in a counter terrorism environment under the UN mandate
To ensure greater
interaction between troops stationed along the Line of Actual
Control, and thereby ensure peace and tranquillity
along the border.
The exercise focussed on
actions to be coordinated to tackle jointly aspects of humanitarian aid
and disaster relief
The joint exercise, Sino-India
Cooperation 2016, lasted an entire day.
This exercise complements
the Hand-in-Hand series of India-China Joint Exercises and the
recently conducted joint exercise in Sikkim.
INDIA
AND MONGOLIA
NOMADIC ELEPHANT
Section
|
Military
|
Frequency
|
Annually
|
Location
(Fixed or not)
|
Not sure
|
The eleventh edition of India-Mongolia joint military training
Exercise ‘Nomadic Elephant – 2016’ has commenced at Mongolia.
Purpose - It seeks to promote military
associations between India and Mongolia. The first joint exercise was held in
2004 and since then it is annually held.
Key facts
- Aim of exercise is to
develop synergy and interoperability between the two armies to fight in
Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorism (CICT) environment under the
United Nation mandate.
INDIA
AND NEPAL
SURYA KIRAN
Section
|
Military
|
Frequency
|
Bi-Annually
|
Location
|
Alternatively
in Both countries
|
Purpose - It provided an ideal platform
for troops of the two countries to share their experiences on Counter
Terrorists Operations, Jungle warfare and Disaster Management and humanitarian
aid.
It is the largest bilateral military exercise in terms of troop’s
participation in series of military training exercises undertaken by India with
various countries.
INDIA
AND SEYCHELLES
LAMITYE
Section
|
Military
|
Frequency
|
Biennially
|
Location
|
Not sure
|
Purpose - enhancing military cooperation
and interoperability between the two countries.
India and Seychelles have been conducting joint military drill
‘Exercise Lamitye’ since 2001. Lamitye in Creole (local dialect of Seychelles)
means friendship.
INDIA
AND KAZAKHSTAN
PRABAL DOSTYK
Section
|
Military
|
Frequency
|
Annual
|
Location
|
Alternatively
in both countries
|
Purpose - enhancing the military ties
between the two countries as also at achieving interoperability between the two
armies
INDIA
AND UK
AJEYA WARRIOR
Section
|
Military
|
Frequency
|
Biannual
|
Location
|
Alternatively
in both Countries
|
Purpose
- Its aim is to make and promote positive military relations between Indian and
United Kingdom Army and to enhance their ability to undertake joint tactical
level operations in Counter insurgency/Counter terrorism environment under
the United Nations Charter.
KONKAN
Section
|
Navy
|
Frequency
|
Annual
|
Location
|
Alternatively
in both Countries
|
Background
The exercise KONKAN has been named after the Western coastal region of
India. It was institutionalised in 2004. Since then, the exercise hosted in rotation by both the Navies.
It has grown in complexity, scale and intensity.
INDRA DHANUSH
Section
|
Air force
|
Frequency
|
not
regular
|
Location
(Fixed or not)
|
Alternatively
in both Countries
|
Purpose - The exercise is tasked to enhance
mutual operational understanding between the two air forces via close
interaction.
The exercise started in 2006 and has held four
editions so far
INDIA
AND SINGAPORE
SIMBEX
Section
|
Naval
|
Frequency
|
Annually
|
Location
|
Background
- Operational interaction
between the Indian Navy and Singapore Navy has grown steadily since 1994
after the commencement of ASW training exercises.
- In 1999, this operational
interaction was formalised as an annual bilateral exercise and was
christened SIMBEX.
MILAN
Section
|
Naval Multinational Exercise
|
Frequency
|
Biennial
|
Location
|
Conducted by the Indian Navy at the the
Andaman and Nicobar Command in Port Blair.
|
Multinational Exercise - 16 countries
from the Indian Ocean Region
MILAN 2014 is slated
to be the largest ever gathering with the participation by navies and maritime
forces of 17 countries.
Purpose
The format of Milan exercise with primary
focus on how these Navies can work together to mount humanitarian assistance
and disaster relief operations in times of need, also conducted a table top
exercise to counter current challenges in the form of piracy, gun and drug
running and illegal immigration
INDIA
AND UAE
Desert Eagle - II
Section
|
Air Force
|
Frequency
|
Not fixed
(2008, 2016)
|
Location
(Fixed or not)
|
Not sure
|
These air combat exercises provide exposure towards mission
planning and execution in a simulated high threat combat environment, apart
from building bonhomie with friendly Air Forces of India and United Arab
Emirates (UAE).
INDIA,
SOUTH AFRICA AND BRAZIL
IBSAMAR
(Tri-lateral)
Section
|
Naval (tri-lateral
exercise)
|
Frequency
|
Annually
|
Location
(Fixed or not)
|
See below
notes
|
This trilateral naval exercise aims at increasing (i)
Interoperability among navies of three countries (ii) Common understanding
maritime security between them.
Except 2016 edition that was held in India all the previous
editions were held in South Africa since it began in 2006.
INDIA
AND RUSSIA
INDRA
Section
|
Military
|
Frequency
|
Annually
|
Location
(Fixed or not)
|
Not Fixed
|
The main focus of bilateral military exercise is on
Counter-Terrorism Operations in semi mountainous and jungle terrain under
United Nations Mandate.
The ‘Indra’ series of annual bilateral exercises and is one of the
major bilateral defence cooperation initiatives between India and Russia since
2003.
The year 2017 marks a major milestone as this Exercise has been upgraded to involve all the three Services of the Armed Forces (Army, Navy & Air Force), which further accentuates the importance of Joint Services in the present world environment.
The year 2017 marks a major milestone as this Exercise has been upgraded to involve all the three Services of the Armed Forces (Army, Navy & Air Force), which further accentuates the importance of Joint Services in the present world environment.
AVIA-INDRA
Section
|
Air force
|
Frequency
|
Annual
|
Location
(Fixed or not)
|
Not sure
|
Avia Indra-2014 is the 1st Indo-Russia aerial
exercise that involves the air forces of the 2 countries.
The exercise is
being conducted to boost cooperation between the air forces of two countries
INDRA NEVA
Section
|
Navy
|
Frequency
|
Annual
|
Location
(Fixed or not)
|
Alternatively
in Russia and India
|
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