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The 21st edition of Exercise Yudh Abhyas, a flagship India–U.S. military drill, concluded on September 14 after two weeks of high-intensity joint training in Alaska’s rugged terrain.
Held from September 1–14 at Fort Wainwright and the Yukon Training Area, the exercise brought together around 450 troops from the Indian Army’s Madras Regiment and the U.S. Army’s 11th Airborne Division.
Launched in 2002 as a modest peacekeeping drill, Yudh Abhyas has grown into one of India’s most sophisticated bilateral exercises, an anchor of the two nations’ deepening defence partnership.
This year’s edition tested interoperability across the spectrum of combat operations. Troops conducted command post drills, field manoeuvres in sub-arctic conditions, and live-fire exercises at brigade and battalion levels. The training sharpened procedures for command and control, communications, logistics, and joint fire coordination under simulated battlefield scenarios.
Specialist modules, ranging from sniper operations and reconnaissance to counter-IED techniques and demolitions, were tailored for high-altitude and extreme-weather conditions. Live artillery and mortar fire reinforced combined precision engagement skills.
A standout feature was joint combat medical training at the Medical Simulation Training Centre, which enhanced the ability of both forces to deliver integrated battlefield healthcare in austere environments, an increasingly vital capability in modern conflict.
The exercise culminated in combined tactical operations, integrating infantry, artillery, aviation assets, electronic warfare, and counter-drone systems under a unified command. Senior commanders who observed the final phase on September 11 lauded the professionalism and adaptability of both armies.
As a concrete manifestation of the India–U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, Yudh Abhyas reflects growing trust and shared security interests in the Indo-Pacific. With each edition, the exercise strengthens operational synergy while underscoring the commitment of both nations to regional stability and their readiness for a joint response to global security challenges.
Team BharatShakti
