Military Exercises of India List 2024-25 List

Learn about Military Exercises of India list, including joint drills with countries like the US, UK, France, China, and Nepal. See how Military Exercises of India helps in strengthening India's defense and teamwork.

Military Exercises of India: India regularly participates in military exercises with other countries to improve defense skills and strengthen international partnerships. These Military Exercises of India help in sharing knowledge, learning new techniques, and enhancing combat readiness for different situations, such as counter-terrorism, disaster relief, and peacekeeping operations.

In 2024-25, India engaged in joint drills with key nations like the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China, and Nepal. Each exercise focuses on specific areas such as tactical operations, naval security, and air force collaboration. For instance, the Malabar exercise strengthens maritime cooperation, while Yudh Abhyas enhances combat preparedness between Indian and US armies. Similarly, Shakti with France focuses on counter-terrorism operations.

These Military Exercises of India not only boost India’s defense capabilities but also promote friendly relations with partner nations. They play a vital role in keeping the country prepared for any future challenges and maintaining peace in the region.

6th Edition of the India-Japan Joint Military Exercise, Dharma Guardian

The Dharma Guardian exercise is a bilateral military training program between India and Japan, focusing on counter-terrorism operations in urban terrain and United Nations peacekeeping drills like Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR). The 6th edition was held from February 24 to March 9, 2024, at the East Fuji Training Area in Japan, strengthening military cooperation and interoperability.

Key Details of Dharma Guardian

Aspect Details
Exercise Name Dharma Guardian
Participating Nations India and Japan
6th Edition Date February 24 – March 9, 2024
Location East Fuji Training Area, Japan
Focus Areas Counter-terrorism, Urban Warfare, UN Peacekeeping, HADR
Conducted By Indian Army & Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF)
Objective Strengthening defense ties, operational readiness, and mutual cooperation

Types of Military Exercises of India

India conducts various military exercises to enhance defense capabilities, strengthen international ties, and improve operational readiness. These exercises are categorized into three main types: Domestic, Bilateral, and Multilateral.

1. Domestic Military Exercises

These are conducted within India to improve internal coordination. They can involve collaboration between different branches of the armed forces.

List of Key Domestic Exercises:

  • Gandiv Vijay: Army exercise
  • Paschim Lehar: Navy exercise
  • Vayu Shakti: Air Force exercise
  • Vijay Prahar: Army exercise

2. Bilateral Military Exercises

These are conducted between India and one other country to strengthen defense cooperation and share knowledge.

Important Bilateral Exercises:

Exercise Name Participant Nations
Sampriti India & Bangladesh
Mitra Shakti India & Sri Lanka
SLINEX India & Sri Lanka
Maitree Exercise India & Thailand
Siam Bharat India & Thailand
Vajra Prahar India & US
Yudh Abhyas India & US
Cope India India & US
Nomadic Elephant India & Mongolia
Garuda Shakti India & Indonesia
IND-INDO CORPAT India & Indonesia
Samudra Shakti India & Indonesia
Shakti Exercise India & France
Varuna Exercise India & France
Garuda Exercise India & France
Dharma Guardian India & Japan
JIMEX India & Japan
Surya Kiran India & Nepal
Hand in Hand India & China
SIMBEX India & Singapore
AUSINDEX India & Australia
Indo-Thai CORPAT India & Thailand
AUSTRA HIND India & Australia
IN-BN CORPAT India & Bangladesh
Table Top India & Bangladesh
Prabal Dostyk India & Kazakhstan
Khanjar India & Kyrgyzstan
Ekuverin India & Maldives
IMBEX India & Myanmar
IMCOR India & Myanmar
Al Nagah India & Oman
Naseem Al Bahr India & Oman
Eastern Bridge India & Oman
Exercise Indra India & Russia
Ajeya Warrior India & UK
Konkan India & UK
Indradhanush India & UK
Lamitiye India & Seychelles
VINBAX India & Vietnam

3. Multilateral Military Exercises

These involve multiple partner nations working together to improve defense strategies and cooperation.

Major Multilateral Exercises:

Exercise Name Number of Participant Nations
RIMPAC 26
MALABAR 4
COBRA-GOLD Asia-Pacific countries
Samvedna South Asian Region Nations

Major Indian Military Exercises

India conducts joint military exercises to strengthen defense cooperation, improve operational readiness, and foster collaboration with global forces. These exercises span the Army, Navy, and Air Force, covering diverse operational scenarios.

Indian Army Joint Exercises

The Indian Army conducts joint exercises to enhance combat readiness, share expertise, and foster defense cooperation. These drills focus on counter-terrorism, disaster response, and terrain-specific warfare.

Exercise Name Participating Nations
Nomadic Elephant India and Mongolia
Sampriti India and Bangladesh
Hand in Hand India and China
Shakti India and France
Mitra Shakti India and Sri Lanka
Yudh Abhyas India and the USA
Khanjar India and Kyrgyzstan
Ajeya Warrior India and the UK

Indian Navy Joint Exercises

The Indian Navy participates in international exercises to enhance maritime security, ensure safe trade routes, and conduct search and rescue missions.

Exercise Name Participating Nations
MALABAR India, USA, Japan, and Australia
Varuna India and France
SLINEX India and Sri Lanka
Samudra Shakti India and Indonesia
AUSINDEX India and Australia
SIMBEX India and Singapore
Bright Star India and 34 other countries

Indian Air Force Joint Exercises

The Indian Air Force engages in drills to improve operational readiness, simulate air combat scenarios, and foster collaboration with foreign air forces.

Exercise Name Participating Nations
Veer Guardian India and Japan
Desert Flag India and UAE
Cobra Warrior Multinational exercise in the UK
Cope India India and the USA
Orion Multinational exercise in France

Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Operations

These operations focus on providing aid during natural disasters and emergency situations, showcasing India’s commitment to humanitarian causes.

  • Operation Kaveri: Evacuation from Sudan
  • Operation Karuna: Aid to Myanmar post-Cyclone Mocha
  • Brahmapuram Firefighting Assistance: Support in Kochi, India
  • Operation Dost: Earthquake relief in Turkey and Syria
  • Operation Ajay: Medical and disaster relief in Israel and Gaza

Military Exercises of India 2024-25

The Indian Armed Forces engage in a wide range of military exercises, including domestic, bilateral, and multilateral events. These exercises are designed to improve operational efficiency and build strategic partnerships.

India’s Military Exercises Timeline (2024-2025)

Month & Date Name of the Exercise Name of Participating Countries Location
2nd to 15th January 2024 Desert Cyclone India with UAE Rajasthan, India
22nd January to 1st February 2024 Ex Cyclone-I India with Egypt Anshas, Egypt
22nd January to 3rd February 2024 Ex Khanjar India with Kyrgyzstan Himachal Pradesh, India
29th January to 10th February 2024 SADA TANSEEQ India with Saudi Arabia Rajasthan, India
February 2024 Exercise Dosti India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka Near Male, Maldives
25th February to 9th March 2024 Dharma Guardian India with Japan Rajasthan, India
28th February to 2nd March 2024 Samudra Laksmana India with Malaysia Visakhapatnam, India
18th to 31st March 2024 Tiger Triumph India with USA Kakinada, India
18th to 27th March 2024 Ex LAMITIYE India with Seychelles Seychelles
15th to 28th April 2024 Ex DUSTLIK India with Uzbekistan Termez, Uzbekistan
20th to 24th May 2024 Exercise Cyber Suraksha India
13th to 26th May 2024 SHAKTI India with France Umroi, Meghalaya, India
9th to 22nd September 2024 YUDH ABHYAS India with USA Rajasthan, India
30th September to 13th October 2024 KAZIND India with Kazakhstan Auli, Uttarakhand, India
2nd to 22nd November 2024 VAJRA PRAHAR India with USA Idaho, USA
4th to 23rd November 2024 VINBAX India with Vietnam Ambala & Chandimandir, India
2nd to 15th December 2024 HARIMAU SHAKTI India with Malaysia Pahang District, Malaysia
31st December 2024 to 13th January 2025 SURYA KIRAN India with Nepal Saljhandi, Nepal

Joint Military Exercises

India conducts joint military exercises to build interoperability and strengthen defense cooperation with partner nations. These exercises focus on combat strategies, tactical training, and knowledge sharing.

Notable Joint Exercises in 2024-25

  1. CINBAX (India – Cambodia): Focuses on counter-terrorism operations and UN peacekeeping strategies.
  2. Agni Warrior (XAW-2024) (India – Singapore): Enhances joint artillery operations and firepower planning.
  3. Exercise Cyber Suraksha: Aims to develop cybersecurity capabilities among various defense agencies in India.

All Military Exercises of India with Other Countries

Check below a comprehensive list of all Military exercises of India with other countries:

Participating Countries Army/Navy/Air Force Exercise Name
India – Australia Army AUSTRA HIND
India – Bangladesh Army SAMPRITI
India – China Army HAND IN HAND
India – France Army SHAKTI
India – Japan Navy JIMEX
India – Nepal Army SURYA KIRAN
India – USA Army YUDHABHAYAS

Military Exercises of India with Key Partner Countries

India regularly participates in joint military exercises with various nations to strengthen defense ties, enhance operational readiness, and foster mutual cooperation. Below is a detailed list of major military exercises conducted between India and key international partners.

India-US Military Exercise List

  • Tiger Triumph: Focuses on joint operations for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
  • Yudh Abhyas: A bilateral army exercise aimed at enhancing combat readiness.
  • Vajra Prahar: Special Forces exercise for advanced tactical training.
  • Malabar (Multilateral): A significant naval exercise involving India, the US, Japan, and other countries to bolster maritime cooperation.

India-UK Military Exercise List

  • AJEYA WARRIOR: Focuses on joint tactical operations and improving defense collaboration.
  • KONKAN: A bilateral naval exercise enhancing maritime cooperation.
  • INDRADHANUSH: An air force exercise designed to improve interoperability and coordination.

India-France Military Exercise List

  • SHAKTI: Tactical drills and counter-terrorism operations to strengthen defense cooperation.
  • VARUNA: Naval operations aimed at ensuring maritime security and enhancing collaboration.
  • GARUDA: Air force drills to foster interoperability and exchange of best practices.

India-China Military Exercise

  • Hand in Hand: A joint exercise focusing on counter-terrorism operations and disaster relief scenarios to promote bilateral understanding.

India-Nepal Military Exercise

  • SURYA KIRAN: A bilateral exercise aimed at enhancing defense cooperation and improving interoperability between the two nations’ armed forces.

Military Exercise of India 2025: Maldives Hosts 13th ‘Ekuverin’

India and the Maldives continue to strengthen their bilateral defence ties through the 13th edition of the joint military exercise ‘Ekuverin,’ being hosted by the Maldives from 2nd to 15th February 2025 at the Official Composite Training Center in Maafilaafushi.

Key Highlights

  • The inaugural ceremony was attended by Major General Ibrahim Hilmy, Chief of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), and G Balasubramanian, Indian High Commissioner.
  • The 12th edition was held at Chaubatia, Uttarakhand, from 11th to 24th June 2023.

About the Ekuverin Exercise

  • Initiated in 2009, ‘Ekuverin’ means ‘Friends’ in the Dhivehi language.
  • Conducted alternatively in India and the Maldives.
  • Aims to enhance counter-insurgency coordination and conduct joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
  • A platoon-level contingent from both countries participates.

Defence Cooperation between India and the Maldives

India and Maldives have maintained strong defence ties since 1998. The Comprehensive Action Plan for Defence (2016) further solidified this relationship, with regular joint military exercises fostering operational readiness and close collaboration.

Other Key India-Maldives Joint Exercises

Exercise Participants Latest Edition & Year Key Objective
Ekuverin Indian Army and MNDF 13th edition in 2025 Counter-insurgency & disaster relief
Exercise Katha Indian Navy and MNDF Naval Wing 6th edition in 2023 Maritime cooperation
Exercise Shield Indian Navy, MNDF, and Sri Lanka Navy 1st edition in 2021 Anti-narcotics & maritime search
Exercise Dosti Coast Guards of India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka 16th edition in 2024 Maritime security cooperation

This exercise underscores the ongoing defence collaboration and strategic partnership between India and the Maldives.

Benefits of Military Exercises of India

Military exercises strengthen operational capabilities and build international partnerships, contributing to India’s defense readiness.

  • Improved Coordination: Helps soldiers from different nations work seamlessly together.
  • Knowledge Sharing: Exchange of best practices and technological advancements.
  • Stronger Diplomatic Relations: Strengthens defense and political ties between countries.
  • Capability Assessment: Identifies and resolves operational challenges.
  • Deterrence: Demonstrates military readiness to potential adversaries.

These exercises reflect India’s proactive defense strategy and commitment to international peace and cooperation.

Conclusion

Military exercises play a critical role in strengthening India’s defense capabilities and fostering international cooperation. By participating in these strategic drills, India continues to bolster its military readiness and build strong defense partnerships with countries around the world.

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Military Exercises of India FAQs

India conducts three types of military exercises: bilateral, multilateral, and domestic. These exercises involve various operational and strategic scenarios where the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force participate with units and battalions based on the exercise's specific objectives.

In 2024-2025, India conducted joint military exercises in Visakhapatnam under the Eastern Naval Command. Partner countries included Japan (Yokosuka) and others, with the active participation of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.

 In 2024, the Indian Army conducted the 13th edition of the bilateral military exercise "Agni Warrior" with the Singapore Armed Forces. The exercise concluded on 30th November 2024 at the Field Firing Ranges in Devlali, Maharashtra.

In 2025, India is participating in the 13th edition of the joint military exercise 'Ekuverin' with the Maldives, hosted in the Maldives from 2nd to 15th February.

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