List of Important Joint Military Exercises of 2023

In this article we have discussed all important Military Exercises of 2023. These Military Exercises play a crucial role in co-operation and enhancing the efficiency of armed forces among various nations, and an opportunity for soldiers to be trained for future.

Defence aspirants i.e. NDA, CDS, Army TES Entry, AFCAT etc. must refer to the details discussed below, because it will be very helpful for upcoming exams in 2024.

Indian Army Exercises with other countries in 2023

VAJRA PRAHAR 2023

14^th Edition of the Indo-US Joint Special Forces exercise “VAJRA PRAHAR 2023” commenced at the Joint Training Node, Umroi today. The US contingent is represented by personnel from the 1^st Special Forces Group (SFG) 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.

During the course of the next three weeks, both sides will jointly plan and rehearse a series of Special Operations, Counter Terrorist Operations, Air Borne operations in simulated conventional and unconventional scenarios in mountainous terrain.

YUDH ABHYAS 2023

The 19^th edition of “EXERCISE YUDH ABHYAS” will be conducted from 25^th September to 8^th October 2023 in Fort Wainwright, Alaska, USA. It is an annual exercise conducted jointly by the Indian Army and the United States Army. The previous edition of the Exercise was conducted in Auli, Uttarakhand, India in November 2022.

Indian Army contingent comprising of 350 personnel will participate in this edition of the Exercise. The Exercise will also involve exchange of views and best practices in drills on a wide spectrum of combat skills including combat engineering, obstruction clearance, mine and Improvised Explosive Devices warfare. “EX YUDH ABHYAS-23” will facilitate both Armies to mutually learn from each other and further strengthen the bonds between the two armies. 

Exercise SANGAM

The 7th edition of Exercise Sangam, a joint Naval Special Forces exercise between Indian Navy MARCOs and US Navy SEALs commenced from 01 Dec 22 at Goa. Exercise Sangam was first conducted in 1994 and is an important military and diplomatic initiative between the two nations, reflective of the trust and friendship between them.

The present edition will see personnel from SEAL Team Five based at San Diego, USA and Indian Navy MARCOs from INS Abhimanyu together and aims at exchange of ideas and experiences on various aspects of Maritime Special Operations.

Exercise ‘AustraHind-23’

The Indian Armed Forces contingent comprising of 81 personnel had taken part in the second edition of Joint Military Exercise AUSTRAHIND-23. The exercise was conducted at Perth, Australia from 22^nd November to 06^th December 2023. Indian Army contingent comprises 60 personnel from a Battalion of the GORKHA Rifles. The Australian Army contingent comprising 60 personnel will be from the 13^th Brigade.

Exercise AUSINDEX-23 

5th edition of biennial AUSINDEX maritime exercise between Indian Navy and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) was conducted from 22-25 August 23 at Sydney, Australia. INS Sahyadri and INS Kolkata participated in the exercise along with HMAS Choules and HMAS Brisbane from RAN. Besides ships and their integral helicopters, the exercise also witnessed participation of fighter aircraft and maritime patrol aircraft.

Conducted over 4 days, AUSINDEX included a series of complex exercises in all three domains of maritime operations. The exercise ended on a high note revalidating the common procedures and reaffirming the close linkages and interoperability between Indian Navy and Royal Australian Navy.

Exercise MALABAR 23

The 27th edition of Exercise MALABAR, concluded on the East Coast of Australia off Sydney on 21 Aug 23. The exercise saw participation of Ships, Submarines and aircraft from the Indian Navy (IN), Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) and the US Navy (USN). Exercise MALABAR 23 was conducted in two phases, which included a harbour phase from 11-15 August 2023 and a sea phase from 16-21 August 2023.

The Indian Navy was represented by indigenously built Destroyer INS Kolkata, Frigate INS Sahyadri and P8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft. Other participating units included RAN ships HMAS Choules and HMAS Brisbane, USS Raphael Peralta, JS Shiranui, along with submarines, fighter aircraft, maritime patrol aircraft and shipborne helicopters.

Exercise MITRA SHAKTI-2023

The ninth edition of Joint Military exercise “Exercise MITRA SHAKTI-2023” was commenced in Aundh (Pune).  The exercise was being conducted from 16^th to 29^th November 2023. The Indian contingent, of 120 personnel, was being represented mainly by troops from the MARATHA LIGHT INFANTRY Regiment. The Sri Lankan side was being represented by personnel from 53 Infantry Division. 15 personnel from Indian Air Force and five personnel from Sri Lankan Air Force were also participating in the exercise.

Both sides exchanged views and practices of joint drills on a wide spectrum of combat skills that will facilitate the participants to mutually learn from each other. Sharing of best practices will further enhance the level of defence cooperation between Indian Army and Sri Lankan Army. The exercise was also foster strong bilateral relations between the two neighbouring nations.

‘Exercise KAZIND-2023’

Indian Army and Indian Air Force contingent comprising 120 personnel had participated in the 7^th edition of Joint Military ‘Exercise KAZIND-2023’. The Exercise was conducted at Otar, Kazakhstan from 30^th October to 11^th November 2023. The Joint Exercise between India and Kazakhstan was instituted as ‘Exercise PRABAL DOSTYK’ in the year 2016.

After the second edition, the Exercise was upgraded to a company-level exercise and renamed as ‘Exercise KAZIND’. The Exercise has been further upgraded as a Bi-service Exercise this year by including the Air Force component. Both sides practiced drills on a wide spectrum of combat skills from each other. The Exercise provided an opportunity for the contingents to exchange views and share the best practices.

“Exercise Harimau Shakti 2023”

Joint bilateral training exercise “Exercise Harimau Shakti 2023”, between Indian & Malaysian Army was commenced in Umroi Cantonment, India. The Malaysian Army contingent comprises troops from 5th Royal Battalion of Malaysian Army. The Indian contingent is being represented by a Battalion of THE RAJPUT REGIMENT.

Last edition of the Exercise was conducted in Pulai, Kluang, Malaysia in November 2022. Aim of “Exercise HARIMAU SHAKTI” was to enhance the level of defence co-operation between Indian Army and the Malaysian Army.

Exercise 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.

The exercise was also witness participation by personnel from diverse units such as artillery, engineers and other supporting arms and services from both sides. Centered on the conduct of Sub-Conventional Operations as per Chapter VII of the UN mandate, SAMPRITI-XI will include a Command Post Exercise (CPX) and a Field Training Exercise (FTX), culminating in a Validation Exercise.

Generally one to two questions are asked in all defence exams so these military exercises will be very helpful for the aspirant who are doing preparation for competitive exams i.e. NDA, CDS, AFCAT, TES Entry etc.

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