17th Edition of Indo-US Joint Military Exercise “Ex Yudh Abhyas 2021”

Context

The 17th edition of the exercise “Yudh Abhyas” will be conducted at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson in Alaska, USA.

About Exercise Yudh Abhyas

• Exercise Yudh Abhyas is the largest military training and defense cooperation between India and the USA.
• Exercise was started in 2004 under the US Army Pacific Partnership Program. This work is being carried out in rotation between the two countries.
• The exercise aims 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.
• Collaborative exercise will focus on Combined Arms Maneuvers in cold weather and is mainly aimed at sharing strategic level exercises and learning best practices for each other. 
• The exercise will end after a 48-hour confirmation period.

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.