Knowledge Nugget | Yudh Abhyas: What UPSC aspirants must know for the exam

Why in the news?

Indian and American troops have gathered at Fort Wainwright in Alaska for Yudh Abhyas, a two-week military exercise that underlines their steady strategic and defence ties despite the strain in relations between Delhi and Washington over the issue of tariffs, India’s purchase of Russian oil and a trade deal that has hit roadblocks. Let’s know about this exercise and defence cooperation agreements between the two nations. 

Key Takeaways :

1. At the 21st edition of Yudh Abhyas, the annual joint military exercise from September 1 to 14, the Indian contingent, comprising personnel from a battalion of the Madras Regiment, will train alongside US soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment ‘Bobcats’ of the Arctic Wolves Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division.

2. According to the Ministry of Defence, the troops will rehearse a spectrum of tactical drills, including heliborne operations, the employment of surveillance resources and unmanned aerial systems, rockcraft, mountain warfare, casualty evacuation, combat medical aid, and the integrated use of artillery, aviation, and electronic warfare systems.

3. Subject-matter experts from both armies will conduct working groups on critical domains, including UAS and Counter-UAS operations, information warfare, communications, and logistics.

4. The exercise will conclude in jointly planned and executed tactical manoeuvres, ranging from live-fire exercises to high-altitude warfare scenarios, with a focus on improving capabilities for UN peacekeeping operations and strengthening preparedness for multi-domain challenges, the Ministry said.

5. The bilateral exercise comes within a week of the US submarine support ship USS Frank Cable visiting Chennai on a scheduled port visit — the Military Sealift Command’s second to the region in two years.

6. Notably, the vision for bilateral defence cooperation was encapsulated in the September 2013 Joint US-India Declaration on Defence Cooperation and the 2015 Framework for the US-India Defence Relationship, in which the two countries committed themselves to increasing cooperation in the sector.

7. Between 2016 and 2020, the two sides signed four more agreements, including the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016, the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) in 2018, the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) in 2020.

(i) Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA: It established the basic terms, conditions, and procedures for reciprocal provision of logistic support, supplies, and services between the two militaries.

(ii) Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA): It is an India-specific version of the Communications and Information Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA), signed to secure military communication between the countries, facilitate access to advanced defence systems, and enable India to optimally utilise its existing US-origin platforms.

(iii) Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA): It facilitates the sharing of military information including maps, nautical charts, and other unclassified imagery and data.

8. In June 2023, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official state visit to the US, the DoD and Ministry of Defence launched the India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X), which took forward the commitment to build a defence innovation bridge under iCET.

Recent India-US Bilateral Military Agreements 

In August last year, both countries signed a Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA) and Memorandum of Agreement regarding the Assignment of Liaison Officers, among other bilateral military agreements that have enhanced defence and security cooperation.

1. Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA): Under SOSA, the US and India will provide reciprocal priority support to each other for goods and services that promote national defence. India is the 18th SOSA partner of the US. While SOSA is an important mechanism to strengthen interoperability with US defence trade partners, it is legally non-binding.

2. MoU on Liaison Officers: The Memorandum of Agreement regarding the Assignment of Liaison Officers is a progression on a decision taken earlier to increase information-sharing between India and the US, and to post Indian armed forces officers in key strategic US Commands. India will deploy the first Liaison Officer to the US Special Operations Command headquarters in Florida.

BEYOND THE NUGGET: India’s latest Joint Defence Exercises

1. Varuna Exercise: The bilateral joint maritime exercise of India and France was held from 19 to 22 March 2025 off the coast of Goa. It stands as a powerful reminder of the deep bonds uniting the Indian and French Navies in their pursuit of maritime peace and security. Exercise Shakti is the joint military exercise of India and France. 

2. Dharma Guardian: India and Japan‘s 6th  joint military exercise was concluded at the East Fuji training area in Japan. It is an annual event conducted alternatively in India and Japan. The 5th Dharma Guardian exercise was held in Rajasthan, in 2024. Both countries have shared commitment towards regional security, peace, and stability with a common vision of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. This exercise underscores this commitment.

3. Dustlik: The sixth edition of the joint military exercise ‘Dustlik’ between India and Uzbekistan is being held at the Foreign Training Node (FTN) at Aundh, Pune from April 16 to 28, 2025. Exercise Dustlik is a yearly event conducted alternatively in India and Uzbekistan. The last edition was conducted at Termez in Uzbekistan and at Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand in 2023. The aim of the exercise is to foster military cooperation and enhance combined capabilities to execute joint operations in various environments and terrains.

4. Passage Exercise: The Indian Navy’s stealth frigate INS Tabar, a submarine, and P-8I maritime patrol aircraft participated in a passage exercise (PASSEX) with the United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group in the North Arabian Sea on June 9 and 10, 2025. The joint exercise demonstrates the deepening cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy, showcasing a shared commitment to maritime security and robust bilateral ties.

5. Nomadic Elephant: The 17th edition of India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT is being conducted in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from 31st May to 13th June 2025. It is an annual event conducted alternately in India and Mongolia. The 2024 edition was conducted at Umroi, Meghalaya.

6. Mitra Shakti: The 10th edition of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Military Exercise ‘Mitra Shakti’ was conducted at the Army Training School, Maduru Oya, from August 12-25 last year. Mitra Shakti is an annual training event conducted alternatively in India and Sri Lanka. Its last edition was conducted in Pune in November 2023.

Post Read Question

Which of the following statements about ‘Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023’ are correct? (UPSC CSE 2024)

1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh.

2. It commenced in Aundh (Pune).

3. Joint response during counter-terrorism operation was a goal of this operation.

4. Indian Air Force was a part of this exercise.

Select the answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 1, 2 and 4

(c) 1, 3 and 4

(d) 2, 3 and 4

(Sources: Amid tariff chill, war games in Alaska boost India-US defence ties,  The two new US-India agreements, signed as part of growing defence ties)

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