Aditi Sinha
July 31, 2023 12:17
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List of Joint Military Exercises of India: Indian military exercises are training techniques for armed forces, testing their capabilities and strategies without actual combat. Joint exercises with other nations strengthen cooperation and improve armed forces’ skills. Some recent exercises include Harimau Shakti, Yudh Abhyas, Exercise Pitch Black, and Khanjar. These joint exercises foster positive interactions and exchange tactical knowledge. India emphasizes establishing relations globally, and joint military exercises play a significant role in strategic signaling and mutual benefit. These exercises enhance cooperation and address strategic needs for participating countries. Read about these exercises below.
The Indian Army is renowned worldwide for its elite status and rigorous training standards. Serving in the army is highly prestigious, as it is the land warfare branch of the Indian Armed Forces. Joint exercises conducted by the Indian Army improve coordination among different militaries, enhance understanding of enemy tactics, and familiarize troops with modern equipment. These exercises prove invaluable in war scenarios, as well as humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations. The Indo-US joint military exercise, Yudh-Abhyas, began in Rajasthan on 8th February. The table below provides details about the latest editions of significant military exercises of India with other nations. CSE exam aspirants should carefully review the information presented here.
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Latest Military Exercises of India 2023 |
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| Exercise Name | Participating Countries | Held At |
| Tropex-23 | Indian Navy’s biggest-ever biennial exercise. Of Indian Army, the Indian Air Force, and the Coast Guard. | Indian Ocean |
| Exercise Bold Kurukshetra | Indian Army and the Singapore Army | Jodhpur Military Station |
| Exercise La Perouse – 2023 | Royal Australian Navy, French Navy, Indian Navy, Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force, Royal Navy and the United States Navy. | Indian Ocean Region |
| Exercise Sea Dragon 23 | India, USA, Japan, Canada, and South Korea | Guam, USA |
| Konkan – 23 | India and United Kingdom | Konkan Coast, India |
| SLINEX-23 | India and Srilanka | Colombo |
| Balikatan | USA and Philippines | Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City |
| ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise 2023 | India and ASEAN countries | South China Sea |
| CORPAT (35th Edition) | Indo-Thai Naval Exercise | Andaman Sea |
| Samudra Shakti – 23 (4th edition) | India-Indonesia Bilateral exercise | South China Sea |
| Joint air exercise COPE | India and USA | Kalaikunda, Panagarh, and Agra – India |
| Ajeya Warriors – 23 | India and United Kingdom | Salisbury Plains |
| Vostok 2022 | India and Russia | Eastern Military District, Russia |
| Gagan Strike | Indian Army and Indian Air Force | Punjab |
| JIMEX 2022 | India and Japan | Bay of Bengal Region |
| Joint Maritime Exercise (Nigeria’s first joint operation deployment) | India and Nigeria | Gulf of Guinea |
| Abhyas-01/22 | Coast Guard of India & United States | The coast of Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| Parvat Prahar | Conducted by the One Strike Corps of the Indian Army | Ladakh |
| Vajra Prahar 2022 | India and USA | Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh |
| VINBAX 2022 | Vietnam and India | Chandimandir, Haryana |
| Pitch Black 2022 | India and Australia | Australia’s Darwin |
| Yudh Abhyas 2022 | India and the USA | Uttarakhand’s Auli |
| Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022 | 26 Countries including India | Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii (United States military base) |
| Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) | Japan and India | Andaman Sea |
| IND-INDO CORPAT | India and Indonesia | The Andaman Sea and Malacca Strait |
| Khaan Quest 2022 (multinational exercise) | Mongolia and India | Mongolia |
| Sampriti-X | India and Bangladesh | Jashore Military Station, Bangladesh |
| North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Exercise | Between Allies and Partners of the United States (US) and NATO | Eastern Europe, the Arctic High North, the Baltics, and the Balkans |
| Bongosagar 2022 (Naval Exercise) | India and Bangladesh | Port Mongla, Bangladesh |
| Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) | India and Bangladesh | Northern Bay of Bengal, Indian Navy-Bangladesh Navy (IN-BN) |
| Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Maritime Exercise/ IMEX-22 | Navies of Bangladesh, France, India and Iran | Goa in the Arabian sea |
| LAMITIYE 2022 (Joint Training Exercise) | India and Seychelles | Seychelles Defense Academy |
| VARUNA 2022 (Naval Exercise) | India and France | Arabian Sea |
| Exercise Khanjar 2022 (Joint Special Forces) | India and Kyrgyzstan | Special Forces Training School, Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh |
| KRIPAN SHAKTI (Integrated Fire Power Exercise) | Conducted by Trishakti Corps of the Indian Army | Teesta Field Firing Ranges (TFFR), near Siliguri, West Bengal |
| Dharma Guardian 2022 | India and Japan | Foreign Training Node, Belagavi (Belgaum, Karnataka) |
| Cold Response 2022 (Multilateral Military Exercise) | Conducted by NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) | Norway |
| Prasthan (Offshore Security Exercise) | Conducted by Western Naval Command of India | Offshore Development Area of ONGC, Mumbai |
| SLINEX 21 | Sri Lanka and India | Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh |
| Suraksha Kavach 2 | Conducted by Indian Army’s “Agnibaaz Division” with Maharashtra Police | Lulla Nagar, Pune |
| Exercise Dustlik (ExDustlik) 2022 | India and Uzbekistan | Yangiarik, Uzbekistan |
| Eastern Bridge-VI (Air Force Exercise) | Indian and Oman | Jodhpur Air Force Station, Rajasthan |
| Sainya Ranakshetram –2021 | Indian Army | Indore |
| MILAN 2022 (Biennial Multilateral Naval Exercise) | Conducted by the Eastern Naval Command (Indian Navy). Theme: ‘Camaraderie – Cohesion –Collaboration’ | Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (Indian Ocean Region) |
| Exercise Sea Dragon 22 (Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)) | Conducted by the USA | Andersen Air Force Base, Guam Island |
| XPL 22 (also called Paschim Lehar 2022) | Conducted by the Indian Navy | Arabian Sea |
| Al Nagah-III | Oman | Jabal AL Akhdar training camp, Oman |
| Bold Kurukshetra | Singapore | Babina Military Station in Jhansi district of Uttar Pradesh |
| Ekuverin | Maldives | Pune, Maharashtra |
| Garuda Shakti IV | Indonesia | Bandung, Indonesia |
| Hand in Hand | China | Umroi, Meghalaya |
| Indra | Russia | Andaman Sea |
| Khanjar V | Kyrgyzstan | Vairengte in Mizoram |
| Lamitye | Seychelles | Mahe Island in Seychelles |
| Maitree | Thailand | Umroi, Meghalaya |
| Mitra Shakti-VII | Sri Lanka | Pune, Maharashtra |
| Multi-national FTX/Exercise Force Eighteen | 18 ASEAN Plus countries | Pune, India |
| Nomadic Elephant | Mongolia | Bakloh Cantonment, Himachal Pradesh |
| Prabal Dostyk | Kazakhstan | Himachal Pradesh |
| Sampriti-IX | Bangladesh | Umroi, Meghalaya |
| Surya Kiran XIV | Nepal | Saljhandi, Nepal |
| Yudh Abhyas | United States | Rajasthan |
Military exercises of the Indian Army play a crucial role in enhancing the combat capabilities, coordination, and readiness of the armed forces. These exercises involve joint drills with other nations, facilitating mutual learning and strategic cooperation. They provide invaluable opportunities to test and refine warfare tactics, familiarize with modern equipment, and understand enemy tactics. Furthermore, these exercises strengthen India’s diplomatic ties and foster interoperability with friendly nations. The Indian Army’s active participation in international military exercises showcases its commitment to maintaining regional stability and global peace.
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. The three types of Military Exercises of the Indian Army are:
| Types of Exercise | Description |
| Domestic | Aimed at improving internal engagements and enhancing cooperation between the armed forces. |
| Bilateral | Conducted between two countries’ military forces to strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation. |
| Multilateral | Involving the militaries of more than two countries, promoting collaboration on a larger scale. |
Domestic exercises are designed to enhance internal engagements and may involve inter-service or intra-service components based on their nature and application.
List of military domestic exercises:
The table below comprises significant bilateral Indian Army exercises conducted between two countries:
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Bilateral Exercise of India |
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| S.I. No. | Participating Nations | Army Type | Name of the Exercise |
| 1 | India and Australia | Army | AUSTRA HIND |
| Navy | AUSINDEX | ||
| 2 | India and Bangladesh | Army | SAMPRITI |
| Navy | IN-BN CORPAT | ||
| Air Force | Table Top Ex | ||
| 3 | India and China | Army | HAND IN HAND |
| 4 | India and France | Army | SHAKTI |
| Navy | VARUNA | ||
| Air Force | GARUDA | ||
| 5 | India and Indonesia | Army | GARUDA SHAKTI |
| Navy | IND-INDO CORPAT | ||
| Navy | SAMUDRA SHAKTI | ||
| 6 | India and Japan | Army | DHARMA GUARDIAN |
| Navy | JIMEX | ||
| 7 | India and Kazakhstan | Army | PRABAL DOSTYK |
| 8 | India and Kyrgyzstan | Army | KHANJAR |
| 9 | India and Maldives | Army | EKUVERIN |
| 10 | India and Mongolia | Army | NOMADIC ELEPHANT |
| 11 | India and Myanmar | Army | IMBEX |
| Navy | IMCOR | ||
| 12 | India and Nepal | Army | SURYA KIRAN |
| 13 | India and Oman | Army | AL NAGAH |
| Navy | Naseem-al-Bahr | ||
| Air Force | EASTERN BRIDGE-IV | ||
| 14 | India and Russia | Army | INDRA |
| Navy | INDRA NAVY | ||
| Air Force | INDRA | ||
| 15 | India and Seychelles | Army | LAMITIYE |
| 16 | India and Sri Lanka | Army | MITRA SHAKTI |
| Navy | SLINEX | ||
| 17 | India and Thailand | Army | MAITREE |
| Navy | INDO-THAI CORPAT | ||
| Air Force | SIAM BHARAT | ||
| 18 | India and United Kingdom | Army | AJEYA WARRIOR |
| Navy | KONKAN | ||
| Air Force | INDRADHANUSH-IV | ||
| 19 | India and USA | Army | YUDHABHAYAS |
| VAJRA PRAHAR | |||
| Navy | MALABAR (Multilateral) | ||
| Air Force | RED FLAG 16-1 | ||
| Air Force | Exercise COPE India 23. | ||
| 20 | India and Vietnam | Army | VINBAX |
Multilateral exercises involve the military of multiple partner nations. List of major multilateral military exercises are given in the table below.
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Multilateral Exercises of India |
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| Exercise Name | Number of Countries | Participating Countries |
| RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific Exercise) | 26 | Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga, United Kingdom, United States |
| MALABAR | 3 | India, United States, Japan |
| COBRA-GOLD | 29 | Asia-Pacific Countries |
| Samvedna | 5 | South Asian Region Nations ( India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and the UAE). [Source: The Economic Times, 2018] |
| MILAN (Incepted by Indian Navy) | 40 | 40 Countries sending their high-level delegations and warships |
These exercises aim to enhance cooperation and coordination within various departments. Their nature and application determine whether they involve inter-services or intra-services interactions.
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Domestic Military Exercise- Details |
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| Exercise Name | Participating Forces | Duration | Aim |
| Gandiv Vijay | Chetak Corps of the Indian Army’s South Western Command | 2 months (Ended on 23rd May 2018) | To validate Chetak Corps’ operational plans and improve internal engagement among various departments. |
| Vajra Prahar | Special Forces of India and the United States of America | March 2021 | To share best practices and experiences in areas such as joint mission planning and operational tactics, as well as to improve interoperability among both nations’ Special Forces. |
| Paschim Lehar (XPL-2022) | Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Indian Army, and Coast Guard | 20 days | To improve inter-service synergy and enhance coordination among the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Indian Army, and Coast Guard. |
| Vayu Shakti | Indian Air Force | 5th March 2022 | To demonstrate the firepower capability of the Indian Air Force and showcase indigenously developed platforms. |
Given below are some of the Indian Army’s bilateral exercises.
| Exercise Name | Participating Countries | Aim |
| Hand-in-Hand | India, China | Practising collaborative planning
Conducting counter-terrorism exercises Holding training exercises in semi-urban areas |
| Surya Kiran | India, Nepal | Conducting counter-terror drills and disaster relief operations
Improving interoperability between India’s and Nepal’s militaries |
| Sampriti | India, Bangladesh | Enhancing defence cooperation
Fostering goodwill between the Indian and Bangladeshi armies Training for subunits in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations |
| Mitra Shakti | India, Sri Lanka | Encouraging defence cooperation Fostering goodwill between the Indian and Sri Lankan armies
Conducting training exercises for subunits in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations |
| Harimau Shakti | India, France | Focusing on counter-terrorism operations in semi-urban terrain under a United Nations mandate
Improving military cooperation and interoperability between the Indian and French armies |
| VINBAX | India, Vietnam | Table Top Exercise to train for Peace Keeping Operations under the UN mandate
Improving cooperation between the Indian and Vietnamese armies |
| Ekuverin | India, Maldives | Understanding transnational terrorism on land and at sea
Conducting Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Insurgency Operations Sharing best military practices and experiences |
| CORPAT | India, Indonesia | Keeping the Indian Ocean Region safe and secure regarding commercial shipping, international trade, and maritime activities
Improving interoperability between navies and the partnership between India and Indonesia |
| Al Nagah | India, Oman | Improving interoperability in counter-terrorism operations in semi-urban mountainous terrain |
| Dharma Guardian | India, Japan | Conducting counter-terrorism operations training
Counter-terrorism operations planning Implementing a series of well-planned tactical drills |
| Maitree | India, Thailand | Enhancing interoperability, training, and planning
Executing well-planned tactical drills for neutralizing potential threats encountered in urban warfare scenarios Fostering friendship between the Indian and Thai armies |
| Prabal Dostyk | India, Kazakhstan | Joint training exercise involving both Indian and Kazakhstani armies
Professional exchange and sharing experiences in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations |
| Nomadic Elephant | India, Mongolia | Training army troops in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations under a United Nations mandate
Promoting defence cooperation and improving military relations between India and Mongolia |
| LAMITYE | India, Seychelles | Conducting counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in a semi-urban environment
Improving military cooperation & interoperability between the Indian and Seychelles armies |
| BOLD KURUKSHETRA | India, Singapore | Emphasizing interoperability and execution of joint tactical operations in mechanized warfare
Learning about each other’s organizations and combat best practices |
| Khanjar | India, Kyrgyzstan | Focusing on high-altitude warfare, mountain warfare, and counter-extremism exercises
Promoting both nations’ shared mountain & nomadic heritage |
These exercises involve multiple countries and serve various objectives such as enhancing military cooperation, disaster relief capabilities, promoting regional security, and fostering understanding among participating nations.
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Multilateral Military Exercises- Details |
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| Exercise Name | Participating Countries | Details and Objectives |
| RIMPAC | 26 countries including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga, United Kingdom, United States | The world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise held biennially in Hawaii.
Enhances cooperation and readiness among participating navies. First held in 1971 with Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK, and US. Promotes maritime security and a rules-based international order. |
| Malabar | India, United States, Japan, Australia | Multilateral naval exercise, began as a bilateral exercise between India and the US in 1992.
Aims to promote a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. Involves participation of Quad members (India, US, Australia, Japan). Emphasizes interoperability and maritime operations. |
| MILEX-18 | Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka | Field training military exercise under BIMSTEC framework.
Aimed at promoting cooperation among BIMSTEC member countries. Focuses on disaster relief and multi-sectoral technical cooperation. Thailand and Nepal participated with small groups. |
| PEACEFUL MISSION | Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states | Joint counter-terrorism exercise held biennially among SCO member states.
Aims to improve military leaders’ abilities in commanding multinational contingents. Enhances cooperation and sharing of best practices in counter-terrorism operations. Held in Russia in 2021. |
| Cobra Gold | United States, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore | Annual Thai-US co-sponsored military exercise.
Focuses on various military training scenarios and events. Participating countries conduct virtual and in-person events. Addresses traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. |
| Kakadu | Australia, participating nations from the region | Multilateral maritime engagement exercise led by Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
Held biennially in Darwin, Australia. Aims to enhance interoperability and understanding of maritime operations procedures. |
| ARF DiREx (ASEAN) | ASEAN Regional Forum’s 27 member countries | International disaster relief exercise to promote cooperation among ASEAN member countries.
Focuses on large-scale disasters and mobilizing national military assets. Conducts on-the-job and icon-based drills. Emphasizes disaster relief cooperation. |
| Sea Dragon 2022 | India, Australia, Canada, United States, South Korea, Japan | Multinational anti-submarine warfare training exercise.
Conducted at Guam’s Andersen Air Force Base, US-led exercise. Focuses on addressing Indo-Pacific region’s maritime security challenges. Participants complete various in-flight training activities. |
| PANEX-21 | BIMSTEC countries | Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise.
Aims to collaborate on regional development planning and execution. Improves response to natural disasters. Multinational and multi-agency exercise. Held at Pune’s College of Military Engineering. |
These exercises are instrumental in enhancing cooperation, understanding, and joint capabilities among the participating air forces, promoting regional security and stability.
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Details of the Indian Air Force Exercises |
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| Exercise Name | Participating Countries | Details and Objectives |
| Garuda | Indian Air Force (IAF) and French Air Force (FAF) | Bilateral Indo-French large force employment warfare exercise.
Latest edition, Garuda 2019, hosted by FAF in Mont-de-Marsan, France. Aims to foster closer ties, promote interoperability through knowledge and experience exchange. |
| Eastern Bridge | Indian Air Force (IAF) and Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) | Bilateral joint air force exercise.
Most recent edition, Eastern Bridge-V, took place at Air Force Base Masirah in Oman. Enhances interoperability and mutual operations between the two air forces. MiG-29 participated in an international exercise outside India for the first time. |
| SIAM Bharat | Indian Air Force (IAF) and Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) | Indo-Thailand Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Table Top Exercise.
Aims to develop SOPs for planning and executing relief missions during natural disasters. Enhances interoperability for joint air operations in response to a crisis. |
| Desert Eagle | Indian Air Force (IAF) and United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAE AF) | Bilateral military exercise.
Second edition, Desert Eagle II, held at Al-Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi. Involves air combat exercises and enhances cooperation between IAF Su-30 MKI and UAE AF’s Mirage 2000-9 and F-16 block 60. Previous participation in Desert Eagle I in 2008. |
| Red Flag | Indian Air Force (IAF) and United States Air Force | Two-week advanced aerial combat training exercise.
Held several times a year at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada and Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. Provides realistic air-combat training to military pilots and flight crew members from the US and allied countries. First held in 1975. |
| Desert Knight-21 | Indian Air Force and French Air and Space Force | Bilateral air exercise.
Held at Jodhpur Air Force Station in Rajasthan. Includes fielding of Rafale aircraft from both sides. Demonstrates growing interaction between India’s and France’s premier air forces. Aircraft from both nations participated, including Mirage 2000, Su-30 MKI, and more. |
These exercises contribute to strengthening maritime security, cooperation, and mutual understanding among the participating countries in the respective regions.
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Details of The Indian Navy Exercises |
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| Exercise Name | Participating Countries | Details and Objectives |
| SLINEX | Indian Navy (IN) and Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) | Annual bilateral maritime exercise held between India and Sri Lanka.
8th edition took place in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, in October 2020. Aims to increase interoperability, mutual understanding, and share best practices for maritime operations. |
| INDRA Navy | Indian Navy and Russian Navy | Indo-Russia joint maritime exercise, 12th edition held in Volgograd, Russia, in August 2021.
Focuses on counter-terror operations against international terror groups under the UN. Enhances cooperation and understanding between the two navies. |
| Konkan | Indian Navy and United Kingdom Navy | Bilateral naval exercise between India and the UK initiated in 2004.
Held alternatively by both navies, aims for complexity and scale growth. Konkan 2021 held in the English Channel between INS Tabar and HMS Westminster. |
| Varuna | Indian Navy and French Navy | Bilateral maritime exercise, 19th edition (VARUNA-2021) held in the Arabian Sea.
United Arab Emirates (UAE) participated for the first time. Focuses on shared values for freedom of seas and commitment to an open, inclusive Indo-Pacific and rules-based order. |
| Naseem Al Bahr | Indian Navy and Royal Navy of Oman | Bilateral maritime exercise, 12th edition held in Mormugao Port, Goa, between India and Oman.
Known as “Naseem-Al-Bahr” (sea breeze) since 1993. Aims to strengthen cooperation and enhance capabilities for maritime operations. |
| Sahyog HOP TAC | Indian Coast Guard and Vietnam Coast Guard | First joint exercise between Coast Guards of India and Vietnam.
Held in the Bay of Bengal off Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Focuses on improving working relationships, coordination, and capabilities for sea life rescue and environmental protection. |
| IND-INDO CORPAT | Indian Navy and Indonesian Navy | Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) exercise between India and Indonesia.
Conducted twice a year along their International Maritime Boundary Line since 2002. Enhances maritime security and cooperation in the Indian Ocean region. |
| SIMBEX | Indian Navy and Republic of Singapore Navy | Bilateral maritime exercise, 28th edition (SIMBEX-2021) held in the southern rims of the South China Sea.
Aims to strengthen bilateral defence ties between India and Singapore. Held during India’s 75th year of independence celebrations. |
| IMCOR | Indian Navy and Myanmar Navy | Coordinated patrol (IMCOR) initiative between Indian Navy and Myanmar Navy.
Aims to combat illegal activities, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and enhance mutual understanding and cooperation for maritime security. |
| AL-MOHED AL-HINDI 2021 | Indian Navy and Royal Saudi Naval Force | First naval exercise between Indian Navy and Royal Saudi Naval Force.
INS Kochi, flagship destroyer of Indian Western Naval Fleet, participated. Highlights defence and military cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia. |
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