Defence Exercises in News

News- The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation ATALANTA has proposed conducting a joint exercise with the Indian Navy.

About Operation ATALANTA

• It is a maritime security mission launched by the European Union in 2008.
• It operates under the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).
• Objective- To support efforts aimed at maintaining peace, stability, and maritime security. The mission focuses on combating:
  • Piracy
  • Narcotics trafficking
  • Illegal fishing, and other maritime threats.
• Area of Operation– The mission operates primarily in the Western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea region.

News: A contingent of the Indian Air Force reached Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates to participate in Exercise Desert Flag-10.

About Exercise Desert Flag-10

• Exercise Desert Flag is an annual multinational exercise being hosted by the UAE Air Force.
• Participating contingents: The Air Forces from of Australia, Bahrain, France, Germany, Qatar Saudi Arabia, Republic of Korea, Turkey, UAE, United Kingdom, and the United States in addition to the Indian Air Force.
• The IAF is fielding MiG-29 and Jaguar aircraft in the exercise.
• Aim: The aim of the exercise is to undertake complex and diverse fighter engagements, with exchange of operational knowledge and best practices with some of the most capable Air Forces in the world.
  • It will enhance mutual understanding interoperability, and strengthens military cooperation among the participating nations.

News: The 6th edition of India- Uzbekistan Joint Military Exercise DUSTLIK-VI commenced, at Foreign Training Node, Aundh (Pune). The Exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 16 to 28 Apr 2025. Exercise DUSTLIK-VI.

About Exercise DUSTLIK -VI

• It is an annual training event conducted alternatively in India and Uzbekistan.
• This Edition is being held at Foreign Training Node, Aundh (Pune).
• The last edition was conducted in Termez District, Uzbekistan in April 2024.
• Contingents involved: Indian contingent comprising of 60 personnel is being represented by a Battalion of JAT Regiment and IAF. The Uzbekistan contingent is being represented by personnel from Uzbekistan Army.
• Theme: The theme of the exercise will be based on the theme of Joint Multi Domain Sub Conventional operations in Semi-Urban Scenario.
• Significance: The Exercise will enable both sides to share best practices, facilitate developing inter-operability, bonhomie and camaraderie between the two armies and will also enhance defence cooperation, further augmenting bilateral relations.

News– The Indian Armed Forces recently conducted a multi-domain exercise, Prachand Prahar, in Arunachal Pradesh. Exercise Prachand Prahaar.

About Exercise Prachand Prahaar

• It is a tri-service integrated multi-domain warfare exercise, conducted in the high-altitude areas of Arunachal Pradesh under the Eastern Army Command.
• Continuation of Previous Exercise: It follows Exercise Poorvi Prahar (Nov 2024), conducted along the India-China border, which focused on the integrated use of aviation assets.
• Objective: Enhancing operational readiness and joint integration of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, while validating surveillance, command, control, and precision firepower in modern warfare.
• Key Features:
  • Deployment of advanced platforms, including long-range reconnaissance aircraft, UAVs, armed helicopters, and space-based assets.
  • Simulated targets neutralized through coordinated strikes involving fighter aircraft, rocket systems, artillery, and kamikaze drones (loitering munitions).
  • Conducted in an electronically contested environment, replicating real battlefield conditions.

News– India is set to enhance its military and maritime cooperation with African nations through two key initiatives—Exercise AIKEYME (Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement) and IOS Sagar (Indian Ocean Ship Sagar). Exercise AIKEYME.

About Exercise AIKEYME

• Aikeyme marks India’s first-ever multilateral naval exercise with 10 African nations.It  focuses on strengthening maritime collaboration, bolstering maritime security, and tackling regional challenges.
• It is scheduled to take place off the coast of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, from April 13 to 18, 2025.
• Participating nations– Tanzania (co-host), Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, and South Africa.
• Aim– To improve interoperability between the Indian Navy and African navies, emphasizing joint efforts against piracy and drug trafficking.
• Key Activities: Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) drills, arms firing exercises, helicopter operations, search and rescue missions, and table-top and command post exercises on anti-piracy operations and information-sharing.

About IOS Sagar

• The IOS Sagar initiative is designed to deepen India’s maritime collaboration with Indian Ocean Region (IOR) countries.
• It involves the deployment of the Indian Navy’s INS Sunayna, crewed by Indian sailors alongside 44 personnel from nine African nations.
• The initiative will take place from April 5 to May 8, 2025.
• Key Participating Countries: Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Seychelles, and South Africa.
• Key Activities:
  • The ship will make port calls at Dar-es-Salaam, Nacala, Port Louis, Port Victoria, and Male.
  • It will conduct joint surveillance of the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius, and Seychelles.
  • The Personnel will undergo two-week training sessions in Kochi, covering sea training, watchkeeping, and other professional naval activities.

News- The India-Bangladesh naval exercise ‘Bongosagar 2025’ and a ‘Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT)’ took place in the Bay of Bengal recently. Exercise Bongosagar 2025.

About Exercise Bongosagar 2025

• It is a bilateral naval exercise between India and Bangladesh
• It aimed at enhancing interoperability and operational expertise through a diverse range of maritime operations.
• Initiated in 2019, the 2025 represents the fifth edition of this exercise.
• During 2025 (fifth Edition), the Indian Navy was represented by INS Ranvir, while the Bangladesh Navy participated with BNS Abu Ubaidah.
• The Exercise featured an array of complex operations, including surface firing, tactical maneuvers, underway replenishment, Visit-Board-Search-Seizure (VBSS) cross-boarding, communication drills, quizzes for the operations team and junior officers on professional topics, and a steam past.

News– The Indian and French Navies are preparing for the 23rd edition of their bilateral naval exercise, VARUNA 2025.

About Exercise Varuna

• It is a bilateral naval exercise between India and France.
• Started in: 1993.The exercise was named ‘VARUNA’ in 2001.
• Varuna 2025 key highlights
  • It is the 23rd edition of the exercise and will take place in the Arabian Sea.
  • The exercise will focus on joint operations across sub-surface, surface, and aerial domains, reinforcing interoperability between the two navies.
  • Aircraft carriers in action: The Indian Navy’s INS Vikrant and the French Navy’s Charles de Gaulle will participate. They will be joined by fighter aircraft, destroyers, frigates, and an Indian Scorpene-class submarine, showcasing the operational strength of both forces.
  • Advanced air defence drills: The exercise will feature mock air-to-air combat scenarios, pitting French Rafale-M fighters against Indian MiG-29K jets, enhancing tactical coordination and combat readiness.

News: Maritime Security Belt 2025 naval drills were held recently. This marks the fifth year that the three countries have participated in joint exercises.

About Maritime Security Belt 2025

• It is the annual trilateral naval exercise that took place in the Gulf of Oman near the strategic Strait of Hormuz
• The exercise includes anti-piracy, search-and-rescue, and naval combat drills in the Gulf of Oman.
• The exercise features the participation of China and Russia, highlighting their shared interest in countering Western influence and strengthening military cooperation.
• It includes approximately 15 naval assets, including warships, support vessels, combat boats, and naval helicopters.
• Several countries have sent observers to monitor the exercise, including Azerbaijan, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Oman, the UAE, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and South Africa. Their presence suggests that the trilateral exercise is gaining wider international interest.
• The key objectives of the Maritime Security Belt 2025 were:
  • Improving coordination among multinational naval forces.
  • Bolstering maritime security within the region.
  • Showcasing the military preparedness and capabilities of participating nations.

News: The 12th edition of the India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise, Khanjar-XII, is being held in Kyrgyzstan from March 10 to 23, 2025.

About Khanjar-XII Exercise

• It is a bilateral military exercise between India and Kyrgyzstan.
• It has been started since 2011 and both nations are hosting it alternately.
• The Indian contingent is represented by troops from the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), while the Kyrgyzstan contingent consists of the Kyrgyz Scorpion Brigade.
• Aim: To exchange experiences and best practices in Counter-Terrorism and Special Forces Operations in both urban and high-altitude mountainous terrains.
• Focus: The exercise focuses on advanced Special Forces training, including sniping techniques, complex building intervention, and mountain warfare skills.
• Alongside military training, the exercise will also feature cultural exchanges, including the celebration of the Kyrgyz festival Nowruz, fostering deeper ties between the two nations.

News: Exercise Desert Hunt 2025 was conducted at Air Force Station Jodhpur from 24 to 28 February 2025.

About Exercise Desert Hunt 2025

• It is an integrated Tri-Service Special Forces exercise conducted by the Indian Air Force.
• The exercise involved elite Special Forces units from all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces, including Para (Special Forces) from the Indian Army, Marine Commandos (MARCOS) from the Indian Navy and Garud (Special Forces) from the Indian Air Force.
• Objective: The primary objective of the exercise was to enhance interoperability, coordination, and synergy among the Special Forces of the three services.
• The training involved a series of high-intensity combat drills and tactical operations, including:
  • Airborne insertion of troops into hostile environments,
  • Precision strikes on designated enemy targets,
  • Hostage rescue operations in critical situations,
  • Counter-terrorism operations to neutralize threats,
  • Combat free-fall exercises to simulate real-world scenarios and urban warfare drills to test battle readiness in built-up areas.
• Senior military officials supervised the exercise to validate joint operational doctrines and assess the combat readiness of the participating forces.
• Significance: The exercise provided a crucial platform for fostering seamless inter-service cooperation, demonstrating the commitment of the Indian Armed Forces to strengthening national security through joint operations.