Static GK is a crucial component of the “General Awareness” section in AFCAT. Among various topics under Static GK, knowledge of defence exercises—especially those conducted in recent years—is frequently tested. Candidates should know names, participants, objectives, and salient features of major bilateral, multilateral, and inter-service exercises.
AFCAT 1 2026 Exam Static GK – Defence Exercise
Major Defence Exercises of 2025
Below are some important military exercises involving India (and other nations) in 2025. These are high-probability topics for AFCAT Static GK / Defence Awareness.
| Exercise | Participants / Countries | Domain(s) | Key Objectives / Features | Notes for AFCAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TROPEX | Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Indian Army, Coast Guard | Inter-service, maritime, joint operations | Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise; tests combat readiness, joint coordination, amphibious ops, electronic warfare, logistics. | Good candidate for a “Which exercise tests jointness among all three services?” type question. |
| SIMBEX | India & Singapore | Naval / Maritime | Regular bilateral naval exercise; includes anti-submarine warfare, maritime security, surface & air operations. | Be aware of the latest edition: SIMBEX-2025 held and included air assets too. |
| Aakraman | Indian Air Force | Air / Aerial combat | Offensive / strike-based air exercise; tests precision strikes, air superiority, integration with other assets. | Especially important because it is “air-force specific” and 2025 version got media attention. |
| Tarang Shakti | India + friendly air forces | Multinational air exercise | First multinational air exercise hosted by IAF; held in phases; many countries participated. | Useful for “first time / largest / host country” facts. |
Key Military Exercises in Defence Exercise 2025
Yudh Abhyas 2025
The 21st edition of the India-US joint military exercise Yudh Abhyas was conducted from September 1 to 14, 2025, at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. This annual exercise focuses on combined arms tactics, counterterrorism, high-altitude readiness, logistics, and humanitarian response. It is led primarily by the Indian Army and the US Army and is a critical platform for deepening military cooperation and battlefield coordination between the two countries.
Exercise ZAPAD 2025
India participated in the multilateral Exercise ZAPAD 2025 held at the Mulino Training Ground in Nizhniy, Russia, with a contingent from the Army, Air Force, and Navy. The exercise focuses on enhancing military cooperation, interoperability, and exchange of tactics and procedures in conventional and counterterrorism operations. It provides a venue for joint company-level operations in open terrain with an emphasis on joint planning, tactical drills, and special arms skills.
Other Major Exercises
- Exercise Sea Dragon 2025: Conducted off Guam’s coast with participation from India, the US, Australia, Japan, and South Korea, focusing on anti-submarine warfare with Indian P8I aircraft participating.
- Exercise La Perouse 2025: A multinational naval exercise coordinated by France involving India, Australia, Japan, the US, and other Indo-Pacific nations to enhance maritime cooperation.
- Exercise Cyclone 2025: A bilateral exercise between India and Egypt at Rajasthan’s Mahajan Field Firing Range, focusing on desert terrain operations and sharing special forces skills.
Additional Joint Exercises
Shakti 2025: India-France army exercise specializing in counter-insurgency and mountain warfare.
Varuna 2025: India-France naval drill focusing on aircraft carrier operations and anti-submarine warfare.
Garuda 2025: Indo-French Air Force exercise held in Rajasthan to strengthen air combat tactics.
Malabar 2025: Quad naval exercise with India, the US, Japan, and Australia in the Pacific Ocean aimed at strategic maritime cooperation.
Indra 2025: Tri-service drill with Russia focusing on counterterrorism.
