Vajra Prahar 2021

Vajra Prahar is a combined military exercise involving Indian and American special troops (US). Vajra Prahar XI, which took place in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh, in March 2021, was the most recent version of this exercise. Vajra Prahar X was held in Seattle from October 13 through October 28, 2019. (US). At Bakloh in Himachal Pradesh, Indian Special Forces conducted a combined military exercise with US Special Forces. The 11th joint special forces exercise ‘Vajra Prahar 2021’ was organised to share best practices and ideas in joint mission planning and proper tactics. The armies of both countries conducted ‘Exercise Yudh Abhyas’ in February 2021.

Aims of the Exercise

• Vajra Prahar is to improve military collaboration between the two countries while also using each other’s militaries’ extensive experience.

• By exchanging techniques with one other, the two troops will be able to work together more effectively.

• The two armies will work together more effectively by exchanging best military practices.
• By carrying out operations in a counter-insurgency or counter-terrorism context.

11th edition of Vajra Prahar

Vajra Prahar 2021 is the name of the joint military exercise. The combined military exercise was held for the 11th time.

• It was held to improve connectivity between the two countries.
• It also contributes to exploring cooperative mission planning and operational methods for cooperation.

What are Special Forces?

India’s Special Forces are units of the Indian Armed Forces which are organised, trained, & equipped to conduct or assist special operations. 2021 Vajra Prahar separate special forces units exist for each of the Indian Armed Forces’ three branches, notably:

• First, the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) of the Indian army is a special unit.

• As in the aftermath of the 1965 Indo-Pakistan conflict, this battalion was constituted in 1966.

• Second, MARCOS: The Marine Commando Force, popularly known as MARCOS, was founded in 1982.

• It is the Indian Navy’s special forces unit.
• Finally, the Garud Commando Force was founded in 2004. 

Yudh Abhyas

Yudh Abhyas is a bilateral military exercise involving India and the United States. It began in 2002 and therefore is carried out by both countries’ forces to enhance defence cooperation. At Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson in Alaska, the latest session (17th edition) of a Yudh Abhyas Exercise is presently ongoing. The 16th Yudh Abhyas exercise was conducted at Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan from February 8 until February 21, 2021. The biggest collaborative military training between India and the United States, Exercise Yudh Abhyas, is focused on tactical and operational exercises and strengthening cooperation. The 17th Yudh Abhyas, held frequently in Alaska, focused on high-altitude warfare topics such as helicopter-based mobilising and attacking an enemy target in mountainous terrain while securing important infrastructure. The exercise also displayed the US Military’s drone buster rifle аѕ parts of Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) and survival and adaptation to the difficult terrain throughout mountain warfare. Since 2004, the exercise has alternated between India and the United States, with the most recent iteration in Bikaner, Rajasthan, in February 2021. 

The Importance of the Indian Army’s Northern Border Strategy

Features of Yudh Abhyas 2021 are highly important to the Indian army’s objective of boosting deterrence along the Northern Borders, which is underlined in its ‘Land Warfare Doctrine of 2018’. The Indian army’s planning along the Northern Borders is described in the doctrine as primarily force-centric or multi-tiered, with fast mobilisation via force multiplier reinforcement. For Indian Army forces stationed along the rugged terrain of the northern frontiers, the tendency to engage the opponent in a self-contained and isolated way is considered crucial. To accomplish this, the doctrine suggests using extremely agile strike groupings that have been acclimated for fast deployment in high conditions. 8 Yudh Abhyas in Alaska, which focuses on cold-weather survival skills, including tactical offensive operations in a high-altitude environment, is significant.

Conclusion

In March 2021, the 11th edition of Vajra Prahar 2021 was held at the Special Forces Training School in Bakloh, HP. The joint exercise is alternately performed by the Special Forces of India and the United States to share best practices and ideas in areas including joint mission planning and proper techniques and increase cooperation between the two countries’ Special Forces. Military exercises or defence exchanges among friendly countries improve bilateral defence cooperation. Now you have all the necessary information regarding Vajra Prahar 2021 in detail.