In this article there is a list of All Important Indian Army Exercise of 2023. Military exercises play a crucial role in enhancing operational preparedness and coordination among the armed forces.

Indian Army Military Exercises 2023

Exercise Vajra Prahar 2023

14^th Edition of the Indo-US Joint Special Forces exercise “VAJRA PRAHAR 2023” commenced at the Joint Training Node, Umroi. The US contingent is represented by personnel from the 1^st Special Forces Group of US Special Forces. The first edition was conducted in the year 2010 in India and the 13^th edition of the Indo-US Joint Special Forces exercise was conducted at the Special Forces Training School (SFTS), Bakloh (HP). The current edition is being conducted in Umroi Cantonment, Meghalaya from 21^st November to 11^th December 2023.

Other Exercises With USA

•Ex YUDHABHAYAS,

•Ex VAJRA PRAHAR,

• SPITTING COBRA,

•SANGAM (IN-USN EOD Ex),

•RED FLAG,

•Ex COPE INDIA

Exercise ‘AustraHind-23’

An Indian Armed Forces contingent, comprising 81 personnel, departed for Australia and participated in the second edition of joint military Exercise ‘AustraHind-23’, Ministry of Defence announced in a press release. The exercise conducted in Western Australia’s Perth from November 22 to December 6. The Indian Army contingent comprises 60 personnel from a battalion of the Gorkha Rifles. One officer from the Indian Navy and 20 personnel from the Indian Air also participate in the exercise.

The Australian Army contingent comprises 60 personnel from the 13th Brigade.

The Australian contingent also includes 20 personnel each from the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force, according to an official release by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Other Exercises With Australia

•Ex Kakadu

•Ex AUSINDEX

•EX Pitch Black

•Ex Malabar

Exercise Mitra Shakti 2023

Months after India and Sri Lanka agreed to increase the complexity of bilateral military exercises, the troops from the two sides are set to begin the joint exercise ‘Mitra Shakti’ on Thursday at the Foreign Training Node in Pune. Its aim is to promote close relations between armies of both countries and enhance interoperability and sharing of best practices in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism (CI-CT) operations. The 14-day exercise concluded on November 29.

Military Exercise ‘KAZIND-2023’

The Indian Army and Indian Air Force contingent comprising 120 personnel has departed for Kazakhstan to take part in the 7^th edition of Joint Military ‘Exercise KAZIND-2023’, the Ministry of Defence said. ‘Exercise KAZIND-2023’ conducted from October 30 to November 11 at Otar in Kazakhstan and 90 personnel of the Indian Army contingent led by a Battalion from the DOGRA regiment will participate in the joint exercise. The Joint Exercise between India and Kazakhstan was instituted as ‘Exercise PRABAL DOSTYK‘ in the year 2016.

EXERCISE ‘TRISHAKTI PRAHAR’

The much-awaited joint exercise of the three wings of the military ‘Trishakti Prahar’ began near the western border of Rajasthan in Jaisalmer, officials said. The joint exercise involving an estimated over 25,000 troops will run till Nov 25 as per officials. IAF practiced with the Indian Army and Navy in mutual coordination with each other. Operational capability and readiness of the Pune-based Southwestern Command of the Indian Air Force is being demonstrated as the major attraction. This exercise is being conducted with the aim of creating a new strategy in the backdrop of the long-running war between Ukraine and Russia and the ongoing Israel Palestine war.

Ex Dweepshakti-23

Joint Special Forces Training Camp commenced at ANC, aimed at enhancing inter-force collaboration before ‘Ex Dweepshakti-23‘. Special Forces troops honed their advanced skills, showcasing their dedication. Witnessed impressive CFF, highlighting their prowess & teamwork. The Andaman and Nicobar Command is the only tri-service theater command of the Indian Armed Forces, based at Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a Union Territory of India.

Exercise Harimau Shakti 2023

A joint bilateral training exercise of Indian and Malaysian armies has commenced in Meghalaya’s Umroi Cantonment to enhance military capability for conduct of multi-domain operations in a sub-conventional scenario. The ‘Exercise Harimau Shakti 2023’, conducted in November. Malaysian contingent comprising troops from the 5^th Royal Battalion of the Malaysian army and the Indian contingent represented by a Battalion of the Rajput Regiment.

SAMPRITI-XI 2023

India and Bangladesh commenced the 11^th edition of annual joint military exercise, SAMPRITI on 03^rd October 2023 in Umroi, Meghalaya. This exercise, alternatingly organised by both countries, signifies strong bilateral defence cooperation initiatives. With its inception in Jorhat, Assam in 2009, the exercise has witnessed ten successful editions till 2022.

SAMPRITI-XI, scheduled for 14 days, engaged approximately 350 personnel from both sides. The exercise underscores the importance of enhancing interoperability between the two armies, sharing tactical drills, and promoting best practices.

ADMM PLUS EWG On Counter Terrorism Field Training Exercise

Indian Army Contingent consisting of 32 personnel from a Battalion affiliated to the RAJPUTANA RIFLES departed for ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus Expert Working Group on Counter Terrorism Field Training Exercise 2023 scheduled to be conducted from 25^th to 30^th September 2023 in Russia. It is a multinational joint military exercise being hosted by Russia as a co-chair of the EWG along with Myanmar. It was preceded by Tabletop Exercise of the ADMM Plus EWG on Counter Terrorism at Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar from 2nd to 4^th August 2023.

Since 2017, the ADMM Plus meets annually to allow dialogue and cooperation among ASEAN and Plus countries. The inaugural ADMM Plus was convened in Ha Noi, Vietnam on 12^th October 2010. This year ASEAN member states along with Plus Group will be participating in the exercise.

Yudh Abhyas 2023

The Indian Army participated in the 19^th edition of a joint military exercise with the United States for Yudh Abhyas 2023 in Alaska. The joint exercise took place from September 25 to October 8 at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, US. A total of 350 Indian soldiers will participate in the exercise under the leadership of a Brigadier.

Ex “AJEYA WARRIOR – 2023”

The 7^th edition of the joint military exercise “AJEYA WARRIOR-23” held at Salisbury Plains in the United Kingdom from 27 April to 11 May 2023. This biennial training event with the United Kingdom alternates between the United Kingdom and India, and the last edition was held in Chaubatia, Uttarakhand in October 2021. The exercise features soldiers from the 2 Royal Gorkha Rifles from the UK and soldiers from the BIHAR Regiment of the Indian Army. The Indian Army contingent arrived at Brize Norton on 26 April 2023 via an IAF C-17 aircraft, bringing indigenous weapons and equipment.

Other India – UK Exercises

•Ex AJEY WARRIOR,

•Ex KONKAN,

•Ex INDRADHANUSH

AFINDEX 2023

Pune is hosting two strategically important events to boost defence ties between India and African nations – the India-Africa Army Chiefs Conclave on March 28-29 and the 10-day Africa-India Field Training Exercise (AFINDEX 2023) from March 21. The second edition of AFINDEX enable the participating contingents to hone their tactical skills, drills and procedures in joint operations for peacekeeping under United Nations mandate. The inaugural edition of AFINDEX was held at the FTN in March 2019. India has been one of the biggest contributors of troops to the UN Peacekeeping Operations all over the world and the Indian Army is also considered to be one of the expert agencies in mine removal operations.

Ex DHARMA GUARDIAN 2023

The 4^th edition of a joint military exercise, “EX DHARMA GUARDIAN”, b/w India and Japan conducted at Camp Imazu in Shiga province, Japan from 17 February to 02 March 2023. The scope of this exercise covers platoon level joint training on operations in jungle and semi urban/urban terrain.

Other India – Japan Exercises

•Ex DHARMA GUARDIAN (Military)

•Ex Shinyuu Maitri (Air Force)

•Exercise Malabar (Multilateral)

•Ex Veer Guardian (Air Force)

Buland Bharat Exercise 2023

An integrated surveillance and firepower training Ex BULAND BHARAT was conducted in the recently operationalised longest High-Altitude Artillery Ranges of Eastern Theatre. A month-long Army exercise called ‘Buland Bharat,’ which attempted to integrate artillery guns with cutting-edge surveillance technology, came to a close near Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh.

Ex BULAND BHARAT involved the synergised application of surveillance and firepower capabilities of the Artillery and the Infantry in close coordination with Special Forces, Aviation and CAPF deployed in West Kameng and Tawang districts of Arunachal Pradesh.

Ex Ekuverin 2023

12^th Edition of Joint Military Exercise Ekuverin b/w Indian Army & Maldives National Defence Force conducted at Chaubatia, Uttarakhand. The two-week long Exercise is focused on HADR Operations. A platoon strength contingent from Indian Army and MNDF participated in 14 days long exercise. The exercise is aimed at enhancing interoperability in Counter Insurgency/ Counter Terrorism Operations under the UN mandate and carry out joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations.

Exercise “EX KHAAN QUEST 2023”

Multinational Peacekeeping Joint Exercise “Ex Khaan Quest 2023” featuring participation from military contingents and observers from over 20 countries has commenced in Mongolia. Mr. Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, the Hon’ble President of Mongolia inaugurated the Exercise in a ceremony organised at the exercise location in Mongolia. The exercise is co-sponsored by Mongolian Armed Forces and United States Army Pacific Command. The Indian Army is represented by a contingent from the GARHWAL RIFLES.

Exercise “Nomadic Elephant – 2023”

Indian Army contingent comprising of 43 personnel left for Mongolia. The contingent participated in the 15^th edition of bilateral joint military exercise “NOMADIC ELEPHANT-23”. The exercise conducted at Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from 17 to 31 July 2023. Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT is an annual training event with Mongolia which is conducted alternatively in Mongolia and India, the last edition was held at Special Forces Training School, Bakloh in October 2019.

Soldiers of the Mongolian Armed Forces Unit 084 from and Indian Army soldiers from the JAMMU AND KASHMIR LIGHT INFANTRY Regiment will be participating in the exercise. Indian Army contingent reached Ulaanbaatar on 16 July 23 by an Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft.

EXERCISE ‘DUSTLIK’ 2023

The 4^th edition of joint military exercise ‘DUSTLIK’ between the Indian Army and Uzbekistan Army commenced in Foreign Training Node, Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand) on 20 Feb 2023. 45 Soldiers each from Uzbekistan and Indian Army are participating in this exercise which is aimed at promoting positive relations between both armies. The Indian Army contingent comprises troops from an Infantry Battalion from the Garhwal Rifles Regiment. The first edition of the exercise was held in Uzbekistan in November 2019.

Exercise Cyclone – I

The first ever joint exercise between the special forces of the Indian Army and the Egyptian Army named “Exercise Cyclone-I” is in progress at Jaisalmer in Rajasthan since 14 January 2023. Exercise “Cyclone – I” is the first exercise of its kind bringing the special forces of both nations on a common platform. The 14 days long exercise which is being carried out in the deserts of Rajasthan engages both the contingents to advance special forces skills such as Sniping, Combat Free Fall, Reconnaissance, Surveillance & Target Designation, sharing of information on weapons, equipment, innovations, etc.