Ajeya Warrior Army Exercise Between UK and India

India and the United Kingdom have been conducting bilateral exercises since 2004 as part of the UK’s Strategic Partnership with India. The exercise is aimed at enhancing cooperation between the Armed Forces of both nations through sharing of experiences and training in counter-terrorism operations in a UN Peacekeeping Environment. This article will cover the key points of the Ajeya Warrior Army Exercise between the two nations. In addition, it gives an overview of what has already been covered in previous articles on the same topic. The article will also give some information about the aims and objectives of the exercise.

Overview of Exercise AJEYA WARRIOR

The Ajeya warrior army exercise is a 14 days bilateral military exercise between UK and India. Its latest 6th edition was held in Uttarakhand from 7th to 20th October 2021. Before this, Its 5th was held in Bikaner Rajasthan in 2017.

Key Points of Exercise AJEYA WARRIOR-Between UK and India:

Exercise Ajeya Warrior- is conducted annually. The Army conducts this military exercise. The Joint Military Exercises are held in varying locations in India. This year, it was conducted in Uttarakhand State.

The recent Ajeya Warrior exercise was held from 7th to 20th October. It covered the following geographical locations of Uttarakhand State:

Uttarakhand is about 6,880 km away from the UK. The distance traveled by the British Cavalry Brigade between their bases in Scotland and Punjab was spread over 300 days. The duration of this military exercise was 40 days.

The Army of India consists of three full-strength divisions or two divisions, each with two brigades each. These three divisions are under the command of a Lieutenant-General as a General Officer. The army has about 81,000 military personnel. This figure does not include the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.

The British Army comprises just the regular Army and does not include the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, and other military bodies. The British Army consists of about 150,000 active personnel.

Exercise Ajeya Warrior-2015: Exercise Ajeya Warrior- 2015 was held at Chattisgarh in India. The UK delegation comprised about 100 military personnel. As part of the exercise activities, a parade was organized by the soldiers of both countries to mark their joint efforts in counter-insurgency operations. This exercise was held in the town of Mhow in Chhattisgarh State. The exercise included a cavalry combat task force.

Exercise Ajeya Warrior-2016:

It was conducted in the areas of counter-terrorism and urban warfare. The current exercise was also held in the towns of Mhow and Khandwa in Chhattisgarh. As part of this, the British Army conducted weapons training and a ceremonial parade at the historic Ajmoha Fort.

As part of the exercise activities, a parade was organized by the soldiers of both countries to mark their joint efforts in counter-insurgency operations.

Objectives of Exercise AJEYA WARRIOR

• The main aim of this exercise was to enhance cooperation between the two sides in counter-terrorism operations against a UN Peace Keeping environment.

• The army was attempting to train against asymmetric threats and terrorism. It covered areas like urban warfare and counter-insurgency operations, combined infantry and armoured infantry battle drills, and other training activities, which were held over two weeks starting 14 November 2015.

• The UK delegation comprised about 100 military personnel.

Benefits of Exercise AJEYA WARRIOR

Ajeya Warrior is aimed at enhancing cooperation between the Armed Forces of both nations through sharing of experiences and training in counter-terrorism operations in a UN Peace Keeping Environment.

The exercise included an amphibious operation to achieve Initial Contact with the enemy, which usually occurs when forces come ashore. This allowed the troops to learn how they are to conduct themselves while operating with and against the enemy.

The main aim of this exercise was to enhance cooperation between the two sides in counter-terrorism operations against a UN Peace Keeping environment.

The army was attempting to train against asymmetric threats and terrorism. It covered areas like urban warfare and counter-insurgency operations, combined infantry and armoured infantry battle drills, and other training activities.

India and the UK Defence Cooperation

• India has historically built its military hardware and technology procurement from a narrow pool of countries. In the last two decades, this trend has changed, and today, the Indian Armed Forces are increasingly looking at other markets for procurement of defence equipment and systems.
• Britain is one of the most important suppliers to India’s Defence Equipment market.
• India buys British military hardware in the form of both direct purchases as well as licensed manufacturing, maintenance, and support for existing platforms.
• India seeks partners who are capable of delivering world-class systems, skills, and technology transfer.

Conclusion

Exercise AJEYA WARRIOR or “Ajeya” in Hindi, is the first bilateral exercise between India and the U.K. since the British takeover of the former princely state of Ajmer from India in 1947.  It is the first bilateral exercise between India and the U.K. since the British takeover of the former princely state of Ajmer from India in 1947. “Ajeya” was held under the aegis of Integrated Level Command (ILC) at Barmer, Rajasthan, with Joint Task Force (JTF) to Counter Insurgency that includes the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and Special Operation Group.