• The 20th edition of India-US joint military exercise ‘Yudh Abhyas-2024’ commenced on September 9 at Foreign Training Node in Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan. 

• It will conclude on September 22. 

• It is an annual exercise conducted jointly by the Indian Army and the US Army.

• The military exercise was first conducted in 2004.

• The previous edition of the exercise was conducted in Alaska in September 2023.

• This edition marks a significant increase in the scope and complexity of the joint exercise in terms of troop strength and equipment. 

• The Indian Army contingent comprising 600 personnel is being represented by a battalion of the Rajput Regiment along with personnel from other arms and services. 

• The US contingent is represented by the troops of 1-24 Battalion of the Alaska based 11th Airborne Division of the US Army.

• The aim of joint Exercise is to enhance joint military capability of both sides to undertake counter terrorism operations in a sub conventional scenario under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. The exercise will focus on operations in the semi-desert environment.

• Tactical drills to be rehearsed during the exercise include joint response to a terrorist action, joint planning and combined field training exercises that simulate real-world counter-terrorism missions.

Other bilateral exercises with the US are: 

i) Cope India (Air Force)

ii) Vajra Prahar (Special Forces) 

iii) Tiger Triumph (Tri-Services)

iv) Sea Defenders (Coast Guard).

Major Defence Partner

• The Indo-US defence ties have been on an upswing in the last few years.

• In June 2016, the US designated India a ‘Major Defence Partner’ paving way for sharing of critical military equipment and technology.

• The two countries have also inked key defence and security pacts over the past few years, including the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016 that allows their militaries to use each other’s bases for repair and replenishment of supplies.

• The two sides also signed COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement) in 2018 which provides for interoperability between the two militaries and provides for the sale of high-end technology from the US to India.

• In October 2020, India and the US sealed the BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement) agreement to further boost bilateral defence ties. The pact provides for sharing of high-end military technology, logistics and geospatial maps between the two countries.

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