Introduction

The Indian Army is globally one of the most elite forces, known for its high employment and training standards. Therefore, being recruited in the Indian Army and serving the country is considered one of the most prestigious jobs. It is the land warfare branch of the Indian Armed Forces. 

Joint exercises conducted by the Indian Army facilitate enhanced coordination among different militaries, understanding enemy tactics and familiarisation with modern equipment. These prove helpful in war situations and several other operations like humanitarian aid and disaster relief. 

List of significant exercises by Indian Military Forces

The list of major exercises by the Indian Army is categorised into three categories:

 Bilateral Exercise

Two countries participate in a bilateral exercise. One is the host country, and the other is the visiting country. India conducts and participates in bilateral exercises with several different nations that include – Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United States of America, Mongolia, Indonesia, France, Japan, Nepal, China, Russia, Australia, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Oman, UAE, United Kingdom, Vietnam, and Singapore. The list of some bilateral exercises and the participating nations are:

  • SIMBEX – India and Singapore
  • Miitra Shakti – India Sri Lanka
  • Surya Kiran – India and Nepal
  • Nomadic Elephant – India and Mongolia
  • Dharma Guardian – India and Japan
  • Vajra Pahar – India and United States of America
  • Garuda Shakti – India and Indonesia
  • Sampriti – India and Bangladesh
  • CORPAT – India and Thailand
  • Yudh Abhyas – India and United States of America
  • Shakti Exercise – India and France
  • Hand in Hand Exercise – India and China

 Multilateral exercise

In a multilateral exercise, more than two countries participate in military operations. A few major multilateral exercises are:

  • Samvedna – A joint exercise by South Asian nations.
  • COBRA GOLD – A joint exercise by Asia Pacific nations.
  • MALABAR – India, Japan, and United States of America
  • RIMPAC – A total of 26 different nations participate in this exercise.

 Domestic exercise

A domestic exercise promotes internal military engagements enabling enhanced war preparations. Several officers who joined the Indian Army initially became a part of such domestic exercises, enhancing their combat skills. The exercise is conducted both at the intra-services and inter-services levels. A few lists of such exercises are:

  • Gandiv Vijay – It is a two-month-long exercise conducted among mechanised forces of the Army and Air Force.
  • Paschim Lehar – It’s an inter-service exercise conducted between the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian air force, and the coast guard.
  • Vayu Shakti – It is conducted to display operational capabilities of Rafale and other fighter jets of the Indian Air force.
  • Vijay Prahar is a joint air and land exercise to neutralise nuclear, biological, and chemical attacks.

 Exercises by Indian Army in 2020

Below is the list of significant exercises conducted in 2018

  1. Vajra Prahar – The special forces of the Indian Army and the United States of America conducted a month-long training program in January in the United States.
  2. Shakti Exercise – A 6-day bilateral military exercise hosted by France.
  3. Nomadic Elephant – A bilateral military exercise hosted between India and Mongolia.
  4. Dharma Guardian – A 14-day military program conducted by India and visited by Japan during November.

 Exercises by Indian Army in 2021

Below is the list of significant exercises conducted in 2019

  1. Surya Kiran – India and Nepal conducted a month-long bilateral exercise. 
  2. Yudh Abhyas – The Assam regiment of the Indian Army and the United States of America conducted a month-long training program in September in India.
  3. Hand in Hand Exercise – A 6-day bilateral military exercise participated by India and China.
  4. Shakti- It is a 14-day bilateral military exercise hosted between India and France in November.

Conclusion

These are the details concerning the significant military exercises conducted by the Indian Army each year. People who join the Indian Army are able to participate with various nations from all over the world in these training programmes. It not only encourages mutual learning but also develops cross country relationships.