What happened?
On 17 September 2025, the Indian Army concluded its Exercise Yudh Abhyas, conducted from 1 to 14 September at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. The exercise brought together around 450 personnel of the Indian Army, led by a battalion of the Madras Regiment, with soldiers from the US Army’s 11th Airborne Division. The exercise involved command post exercises where Indian and American officers worked side by side on operational planning, command and control, and coordination across brigade and battalion levels. This was followed by field training in challenging sub-arctic terrain, including drills, manoeuvres, sniper and reconnaissance training, as well as obstacle laying and demolitions. Live-fire activities formed a key component, with artillery units from both sides conducting joint firing.
Why it matters to India
Exercise Yudh Abhyas, which began in 2002 as a platoon-level peacekeeping exercise, has grown into one of India’s largest and most advanced bilateral exercises. For India, the exercise enhances interoperability with the US military, strengthens operational readiness in extreme environments, and provides experience in modern joint warfare, including coordination across multiple domains such as artillery, aviation, electronic warfare, and counter-drone operations. The exposure to sub-arctic conditions also prepares Indian forces for diverse operational challenges, reinforcing India’s strategic and defence capabilities.