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The latest edition of the India–UK joint military exercise, Ajeya Warrior-25, began today in Rajasthan, launching a two-week effort that military officials say is increasingly crucial for modern counter-terror operations. Defence planners stressed that the start of this year’s exercise carries huge importance, as it strengthens joint readiness for missions under the UN mandate and enhances the ability of both forces to operate seamlessly in rapidly evolving semi-urban conflict zones.
This eighth edition of the biennial drill, being conducted from 17 to 30 November, brings together 240 personnel, evenly split between the Indian Army and the British Army. Soldiers from the Sikh Regiment represent the Indian contingent, while the UK has deployed troops specialising in high-readiness international operations.
Focus on Realistic Counter-Terror Scenarios
Ajeya Warrior-25 is being held under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, with training designed around counter-terrorism missions typical of modern peacekeeping deployments.
Over the next 14 days, troops will undertake:
- Joint mission planning at the Brigade level
- Integrated tactical drills for semi-urban combat
- Simulation-driven scenarios involving high-risk contingencies
- Company-level field exercises replicating real-world terror threats
Both armies will evaluate each other’s tactical methods, share operational expertise, and refine coordinated responses for complex and fast-moving crises.
Defence Partnership
Since its inception in 2011, Ajeya Warrior has grown into one of the most important land-force collaborations between India and the UK. Military officials describe the 2025 edition as a reaffirmation of shared values, professionalism, interoperability, and long-term commitment to regional stability.
The joint effort is part of a wider network of engagements across services, including Ajeya Warrior (Army), Konkan (Navy), and Indradhanush (Air Force).
These exercises have expanded in both scale and sophistication, contributing to a more integrated defence relationship.
Strategic Cooperation Beyond the Battlefield
As India’s role as a forward logistics hub grows and the UK maintains a steady Indo-Pacific presence, both sides are exploring deeper maritime and regional security cooperation.
Recent Momentum in India–UK Military Ties
Ajeya Warrior-25 follows several recent milestones:
- In October 2025, the Indian Navy and Royal Navy conducted Exercise Konkan-25 off India’s western coast, one of their largest maritime drills to date.
- In 2024, the previous edition of Ajeya Warrior was held in Wiltshire, UK, including subterranean training areas rarely used for international exercises. Troops from India’s 6 Bihar Regiment trained alongside the UK’s 2 Royal Gurkha Rifles, a unit within the country’s Global Response Force.
Why This Exercise Matters
Military analysts note that Ajeya Warrior-25 supports several key objectives:
- Building strong operational ties between the two armies
- Exchanging best practices for sub-conventional warfare
- Improving interoperability for UN-mandated missions
- Enhancing camaraderie and trust, crucial for joint deployments
- Preparing forces for urban and semi-urban counter-terror operations, which is now a dominant feature of global conflict environments
With terrorist threats evolving and peacekeeping missions demanding greater coordination, the opening of Ajeya Warrior-25 marks a strategically important moment for India-UK defence cooperation.
Team BharatShakti
