India US Military Exercise: This exercise between the armies of India and America will give an opportunity to the armies of both countries to share their experiences and skills.

India-America Exercise: Prime Minister Narendra Modi (PM Modi) arrived in Bali, Indonesia on 15 November to participate in the G-20 Summit. When he was warmly meeting US President Joe Biden at the G-20 Summit, the US Army had reached Indian soil for the maneuvers going to be held in India. On Wednesday (November 16), the US Army contingent will reach Auli in Uttarakhand for a formal exercise, where it will practice mountain warfare with the Indian Army for the next two weeks. 

This is the 18th edition of Yudh Abhyas, an annual military exercise between the armies of India and the US, which aims to exchange best practices and strategies with the growing defense ties between the two countries. This year, an entire battalion of the Assam Regiment of the Indian Army is participating in the exercise. The Second (2) Brigade of the 11 Airborne Division of the US Army is participating.  

The exercise between India and America is taking place at a time when the tussle with China on the LAC adjacent to eastern Ladakh has been going on for the last 30 months. This military exercise is held annually between India and America. Its previous edition was organized in October 2021 at ‘Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson in Alaska, USA. 

What will be included in the training 

On Tuesday, the Indian Army issued an official statement saying that field training exercises, integrated battle groups, force multipliers, establishment and operation of surveillance grids, operational logistics, and mountain warfare skills were included during the exercise. During this, the exchange of other tactics of war skills including combat engineering, ‘Unmanned Aircraft System’ (UAS), and the use of techniques to combat UAS is included. 

Armies will share their experiences 

The Indian Army said that this exercise will provide an opportunity for the armies of both countries to share their extensive experiences, and skills and expand their techniques through the exchange of information. The drill of the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operation is also included during the joint exercise. During this, the soldiers of the armies of both countries will also practice starting relief work in a quick and coordinated manner in any kind of natural disaster. For the first time in Auli, the Indian Army is going to start a military exercise with the army of a friendly country. For this, a new foreign training node has been prepared in Auli. 

Auli at the height of 10 thousand feet 

Auli of Uttarakhand is at a height of about 10 thousand feet. In such a situation, for the first time, the Indian Army is going to do military exercises with the army of a friendly country in such a high hilly area. Earlier, the Indian Army used to conduct annual military exercises with the US Army at Chaubatia (Ranikhet) in Uttarakhand or Mahajan Field Firing Range (Bikaner) in Rajasthan. LAC is about 100 kilometers from Auli.

High Altitude Military Warfare Tactics 

The LAC between India and China is at an altitude of 10 thousand to 18 thousand feet. The Galvan Valley, where there was a clash between the armies of India and China in the year 2020, is also at an altitude of about 14 thousand feet. In such a situation, through this exercise, India will share its high-altitude military warfare strategy with America. At the same time, American forces are also stationed in very cold areas like Alaska, where there is snow for 12 months. In such a situation, the US Army will also share its high-altitude strategy with the Indian Army.