What Were the Highlights of Yudh Abhyas 2025?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Strengthened Military Cooperation: Enhanced collaboration between Indian and US soldiers.
- Rigorous Training: Two weeks of intensive training in sub-arctic conditions.
- Operational Synergy: Adaptation of procedures and strategies between both armies.
- Live-Fire Exercises: Joint firing drills that tested coordination and communication.
- Evolution of Yudh Abhyas: Growth from a platoon-level exercise to a significant bilateral military operation.
Washington, Sep 16 (NationPress) The 21st iteration of Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2025, a significant annual bilateral Army-to-Army exercise between India and the United States, has successfully wrapped up after two weeks of intense training in Alaska.
According to a statement issued by the Indian embassy in Washington, these exercises represent a significant milestone in the deepening military-to-military collaboration between India and the US, in line with the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership of both nations.
During the exercise, approximately 450 soldiers from each nation participated in both field and command post drills while also interacting with subject-matter experts (SMEs) to enhance operational synergy. The Indian contingent was led by a battalion from the Madras Regiment, while the US Army was represented by the 11th Airborne Division.
This exercise took place from September 1-14 at Fort Wainwright and the Yukon Training Area in Alaska.
The 2025 edition was noted as one of the largest military exercises conducted bilaterally by the Indian Army based on troop mobilization.
The embassy's statement highlighted that the exercises “enabled soldiers from both armies to adjust their procedures while fostering familiarity under realistic combat scenarios.”
“The exercise involved command post drills where Indian and American officers collaborated on operational planning, command and control, and coordination at brigade and battalion levels. This was succeeded by field training in challenging sub-arctic conditions, covering drills and maneuvers, specialized training such as sniper and reconnaissance, counter IED training, and obstacle laying and demolitions,” it elaborated.
Moreover, the drills featured live-fire activities, including joint firing and mortar live-fire exercises that evaluated coordination in fire control and communication in a demanding environment, yielding essential lessons in precision, adaptability, and joint targeting.
“Since its inception in 2002 as a platoon-level exercise focused on peacekeeping, Exercise Yudh Abhyas has significantly evolved over the years, increasing in both scale and complexity, alternating between venues in India and the US,” the embassy statement further added.