Indo-US Joint Military Exercise “Ex Yudh Abhyas 2021”

The 17th edition of the exercise “Yudh Abhyas” is to be conducted at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson in Alaska, USA from October 15 to 29.

What is Exercise Yudh Abhyas?

Exercise Yudh Abhyas is the largest military training and defense cooperation between India and the USA.
It was started in 2004 under the US Army Pacific Partnership Program. This work is being carried out in rotation between the two countries.
Aim: To increase understanding, cooperation and interoperability between the two armies.
- The previous version of the exercise was held at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Bikaner, Rajasthan in February 2021.

India-US Defence Relations

In June 2016, the US had designated India a "Major Defence Partner".
The two countries have also signed key defence and security pacts over the past few years, including the:
- Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016
- COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement) in 2018
- BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement) agreement in 2020

What are some other exercises between India and the US?

Exercise Tiger Triumph: It is a tri-service military exercise between India and the US.
Exercise Vajra Prahar: It is a Special Forces joint military training exercise. It has been conducted alternately in India and the US since 2010.
Exercise Cope India: It is a series of bilateral Air Force exercises between India and the United States.
Exercise Malabar: It is a multilateral naval exercise that includes simulated war games and combat manoeuvres. It was started in 1992 as an act of cooperation between Indian and American navies. Japan joined in 2015. In 2020, the Australian Navy will participate in this work for the first time since 2007.