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Get the list of Joint Military Exercises of India 2025, including domestic, bilateral, and multilateral drills. Learn how the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force strengthen defense, boost global cooperation, and enhance combat readiness with partner nations.
List of Joint Military Exercises of India 2025: India conducts numerous joint military exercises every year to enhance its defense capabilities and foster international cooperation. These exercises are critical for improving combat readiness, strategic collaboration, and mutual trust between India and its defense partners. Keep on reading to explore the most important joint military exercises of India in 2024-25, focusing on those involving the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. These exercises include bilateral, multilateral, and domestic training drills, covering various operational and strategic scenarios.
The Indian army participates in military exercises of India with other countries with their units and battalions, based on the specific nature and requirements of the exercises. The amount spent varies depending on the extent of their involvement and the resources used. The Indian army takes part in domestic, bilateral, and multilateral exercises. Joint exercises conducted by the Indian Army improve coordination among different militaries, enhance understanding of enemy tactics, and familiarize troops with modern equipment. The table below provides details about the latest editions of significant military exercises of India with other nations. UPSC CSE exam aspirants should carefully review the information presented here.
Here’s a table summarizing the Joint Military Exercises of India in 2025:
Exercise Name | Participants Country | Place Held | Duration |
SURYA KIRAN | India-Nepal | Saljhandi, Nepal | 31st December 2024 to 13th January 2025 |
Exercise CYCLONE | India- Egypt | Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan | 10th to 23rd February 2025. |
DHARMA GUARDIAN |
India-Japan | East Fuji Manoeuvre Training area of Japan | 24th February to 9th March 2025 |
KHANJAR-XII |
India-Kyrgyzstan | Kyrgyzstan | 10 March to 23 March 2025 |
Exercise DUSTLIK-6 |
India-Uzbekistan Joint Military | Aundh in Pune, Maharashtra | 16 April to 28 April |
Exercise Desert Flag-10 |
Australia, Bahrain, France, Germany, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Republic of Korea, Turkey, UAE, United Kingdom, and United States of America | UAE | 20 April to 8th May |
NOMADIC ELEPHANT | India- Mongolia | Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia | 31st May to 13th June 2025 |
Exercise SHAKTI-VIII | India and France | Camp Larzac, La Cavalerie, France | 18th June 2025 to 1st July 2025 |
Khaan Quest Exercise 2025 | USA and Mongolia, | Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia | |
Passage Exercise (passex) 2025 |
India and the UK | North Arabian Sea | |
Simbex Exercise 2025 |
RSN and Indian Navy |
RSS Singapura-Changi Naval Base | July 28 to August 1 |
Exercise Divya Drishti 2025 | East Sikkim | ||
Exercise Slinex 2025 |
India – Sri Lanka | Port of Colombo | Harbour Phase at Colombo from 14 to 16 Aug 25
Sea Phase from 17 to 18 Aug 25 |
Exercise Bright Star 2025 | USA, Egypt, and India, forces from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Greece, Cyprus, and Italy | Alexandria, Egypt | 01 to 10 September 2025 |
EXERCISE MAITREE – XIV | India and Thailand | Joint Training Node (JTN), Umroi, Meghalaya | 1st to 14th September 2025 |
YUDH ABHYAS 2025 | India and USA | Fort Wainwright, Alaska, USA | 1st to 14th September 2025 |
In joint military exercises, Indian armed forces are represented by different units/battalions selected based on the exercise’s nature and requirements. The amount spent on these exercises varies according to the level of involvement and the resources utilized during the drills. India’s military exercises fall under three main categories:
Domestic exercises are designed to enhance internal engagements and may involve inter-service or intra-service components based on their nature and application. It is one of the important joint military exercises of India 2025 List of military domestic exercises:
Bilateral military exercises involve two nations working together to enhance their military cooperation and improve operational efficiency. These exercises allow nations to share strategies, refine combat skills, and foster better understanding of each other’s military tactics. India participates in a wide range of bilateral military exercises to strengthen defense relationships across the globe. Below is a list of the most important bilateral military exercises India is scheduled to conduct in 2024.
Participating Countries | Army/Navy/Air Force | Exercise Name |
India and Australia | Army | AUSTRA HIND |
Navy | AUSINDEX | |
India and Bangladesh | Army | SAMPRITI |
Navy | IN-BN CORPAT | |
Air Force | Table Top Ex | |
India and China | Army | HAND IN HAND |
India and France | Army | SHAKTI |
Navy | VARUNA | |
Air Force | GARUDA | |
India and Indonesia | Army | GARUDA SHAKTI |
Navy | IND-INDO CORPAT | |
India and Japan | Army | DHARMA GUARDIAN |
Navy | JIMEX | |
India and Kazakhstan | Army | PRABAL DOSTYK |
India and Kyrgyzstan | Army | KHANJAR |
India and Maldives | Army | EKUVERIN |
India and Mongolia | Army | NOMADIC ELEPHANT |
India and Myanmar | Army | IMBEX |
Navy | IMCOR | |
India and Nepal | Army | SURYA KIRAN |
India and Oman | Army | AL NAGAH |
Navy | Naseem-al-Bahr | |
Air Force | EASTERN BRIDGE-IV | |
India and Russia | Army | INDRA |
Navy | INDRA NAVY | |
Air Force | INDRA | |
India and Seychelles | Army | LAMITIYE |
India and Sri Lanka | Army | MITRA SHAKTI |
Navy | SLINEX | |
India and Thailand | Army | MAITREE |
Navy | INDO-THAI CORPAT | |
Air Force | SIAM BHARAT | |
India and the United Kingdom | Army | AJEYA WARRIOR |
Navy | KONKAN | |
Air Force | INDRADHANUSH-IV | |
India and USA | Army | YUDHABHAYAS & VAJRA PRAHAR |
Navy | MALABAR (Multilateral) | |
Army | YUDH ABHYAS | |
Air Force | RED FLAG 16-1 | |
India and Vietnam | Army | VINBAX |
Multilateral military exercises involve the participation of multiple countries, working together to strengthen international defense ties, improve coordination, and enhance combat readiness. These exercises help countries share tactical knowledge and develop operational synergy in various strategic scenarios. India actively participates in numerous multilateral exercises, collaborating with several global military forces to enhance its defense preparedness.
Important Multilateral Military Exercises of India 2025 | |
Multilateral Exercise | Participating Countries |
RIMPAC | Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, and more |
MALABAR | India, the United States, Japan |
COBRA-GOLD | Asia-Pacific countries |
Samvedna | South Asian Region Nations |
The Indian Air Force (IAF) engages in several bilateral and multilateral exercises to improve operational readiness, enhance interoperability, and foster closer ties with partner air forces. These exercises focus on different aspects of air combat, disaster relief, and strategic operations.
Indian Air Force Exercises 2025 | ||
Exercise Name | Details | Participating Countries |
Garuda | A bilateral exercise focusing on large force employment and combat drills. | India, France |
Eastern Bridge | Enhances joint air force operations and mutual understanding. | India, Oman |
SIAM Bharat | A Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) tabletop exercise. | India, Thailand |
Desert Eagle | Focuses on air combat operations with UAE Air Force’s Mirage and F-16 jets. | India, United Arab Emirates (UAE) |
Red Flag | Provides advanced aerial combat training. | India, United States |
Desert Knight-21 | A joint air exercise featuring Rafale aircraft from both India and France. | India, France |
The Indian Army participates in various joint military exercises to improve combat capabilities, enhance tactical coordination, and foster mutual cooperation with partner nations. These exercises often focus on counter-terrorism, jungle warfare, and peacekeeping operations.
Indian Army Exercises 2025 | ||
Exercise Name | Details | Participating Countries |
Yudh Abhyas | Focuses on counter-terrorism and peacekeeping operations. | India, USA |
Nomadic Elephant | Counter-insurgency and jungle warfare operations in mountainous terrain. | India, Mongolia |
Shakti | A bilateral exercise focusing on counter-terrorism in semi-urban environments. | India, France |
Hand-in-Hand | Focuses on joint operations in counter-terrorism and disaster relief. | India, China |
Dharma Guardian | Focuses on counter-terrorism and jungle warfare. | India, Japan |
Khanjar | Enhances cooperation in counter-terrorism in high-altitude terrains. | India, Kyrgyzstan |
The Indian Navy conducts numerous bilateral and multilateral naval exercises to improve maritime security, enhance combat readiness, and strengthen strategic partnerships. These exercises focus on anti-submarine warfare, maritime surveillance, and humanitarian operations.
Indian Navy Exercises 2025 | ||
Exercise Name | Details | Participating Countries |
SLINEX | Enhances interoperability in maritime operations. | India, Sri Lanka |
INDRA Navy | Joint maritime exercise focusing on anti-terrorism and naval drills. | India, Russia |
Varuna | Bilateral naval exercise focusing on joint operations and maritime security. | India, France |
Konkan | Enhances maritime cooperation between the Indian and British navies. | India, United Kingdom |
Naseem Al Bahr | Bilateral exercise focusing on maritime operations and security drills. | India, Oman |
SIMBEX | Enhances defense ties with a focus on maritime security and operations. | India, Singapore |
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India conducts numerous joint military exercises with various nations, such as Yudh Abhyas with the USA, Varuna with France, and Malabar with the USA, Japan, and Australia. These exercises strengthen strategic partnerships and enhance combat capabilities.
Notable Indian Air Force exercises in 2024 include Garuda (with France), Eastern Bridge (with Oman), and Red Flag (with the USA), focusing on air combat and disaster relief operations.
Indian Army exercises in 2024 include Dharma Guardian (with Japan), Nomadic Elephant (with Mongolia), and Shakti (with France), primarily focusing on counter-terrorism and jungle warfare operations.
India and the USA participate in several joint exercises, including Yudh Abhyas (army exercise), Vajra Prahar (Special Forces), and Tiger Triumph (tri-service exercise). These drills focus on interoperability and strategic coordination.
For UPSC aspirants, understanding India’s military exercises is crucial for topics like defense, international relations, and current affairs.
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