• The Indian and US armies kick-started the 21st edition of exercise Yudh Abhyas in Alaska on September 1. 

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

• The military exercise was first conducted in 2004.

• The exercise is taking place amid strained ties between New Delhi and Washington over US President Donald Trump’s policies on trade and tariff.

• The drills, which will also involve heliborne operations, will conclude on September 14.

• The Indian contingent comprises personnel from a battalion of the Madras Regiment.

• The US contingent comprises soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment ‘Bobcats’ of the Arctic Wolves Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division of the US.

• Over two weeks, the troops will rehearse a spectrum of tactical drills including heliborne operations, employment of surveillance resources and unmanned aerial systems, rock craft, mountain warfare, casualty evacuation, combat medical aid and the integrated use of artillery, aviation and electronic warfare systems.

• Subject matter experts from both the armies will conduct working groups on critical domains such as UAS (unmanned aerial system) and counter-UAS operations, information warfare, communications and logistics.

Other bilateral exercises include: 

i) Cope India (Air Force)

ii) Vajra Prahar (Special Forces) 

iii) Tiger Triumph (a tri-services exercise inaugurated in 2019).

iv) Sea Defenders (Coast Guard).