YUDH ABHYAS (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: India-U.S. bilateral Army exercise Yudh Abhyas is set to commence at the Mahajan field firing ranges in Rajasthan.

Yudh Abhyas

• About: It is the largest running joint military training and defense cooperation endeavor between India and the US.
• Focus: The exercise focuses on enhancing understanding, cooperation, and interoperability between the two armies.
• Started:  2004.
• Largest U.S. Contingent: This year’s Yudh Abhyas will feature one of the largest U.S. contingents with approximately 600 personnel.
• Advanced Vehicles and Systems: The U.S. Army will deploy Stryker infantry vehicles and the M142 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System).
• Current Indian Army Testing: The Indian Army is currently testing the Stryker vehicles in various conditions and plans to procure a few hundred vehicles, including some with Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM).
• Previous Evaluations: The U.S. has previously demonstrated both the Stryker vehicles and Javelin ATGM to the Indian Army, though the Javelin deal did not go through.

Other Exercises between India and the US

• Army: Yudh Abhyas and Vajra Prahar, Navy: MALABAR (Multilateral), Air Force: Cope India, Red Flag (Multilateral)