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Introduction to Yudh Abhyas 2025
Yudh Abhyas 2025, the premier annual bilateral military exercise between the U.S. Army and the Indian Army, commenced on September 1, 2025, in the challenging terrains of Alaska. This 21st edition of the exercise, meaning “Preparing for War” in Hindi, focuses on enhancing interoperability and joint readiness amid evolving security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. Held from September 1 to 14, the event brings together approximately 600 soldiers from each side, emphasizing tactical drills, cultural exchanges, and academic discussions. A key highlight is the exchange of artillery best practices, where U.S. soldiers demonstrated pre-fire checks on the M119 Howitzer to their Indian counterparts on September 6 at the Yukon Training Area. This collaboration underscores the long-standing defense partnership, building mutual trust and operational synergy for future contingencies, including counterterrorism and humanitarian assistance.
✩ Table of Contents ✩
1. Historical Evolution of Yudh Abhyas
2. Participating U.S. Army Units
3. Indian Army Contingent Overview
4. Strategic Locations for Training
5. Core Objectives of the Exercise
6. Artillery Best Practices Exchange in Detail
7. Technical Specifications of the M119 Howitzer
8. Medical Readiness and Joint Academic Exchanges
9. Field Training Exercises and Battle Drills
10. Integration of Unmanned Aerial Systems
11. Cultural Exchanges and Team Building Activities
12. Broader Implications for Indo-Pacific Security
13. Evolution of U.S.-India Defense Relations
14. Challenges and Adaptations in Arctic Training
15. Role of Live-Fire Exercises in Readiness
16. Future Prospects and Expansion of Yudh Abhyas
17. Conclusion: Strengthening Global Partnerships
1. Historical Evolution of Yudh Abhyas
The Yudh Abhyas exercise traces its origins back to 2004, initially starting as a modest counterinsurgency training exchange at the platoon level between the U.S. Army and Indian Army. Over the years, it has expanded in scope and complexity, evolving into a brigade-level command post and field training exercise that addresses conventional, unconventional, and hybrid threats. Early iterations focused on basic tactical maneuvers, but recent editions have incorporated advanced elements like high-altitude warfare, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and disaster relief operations. Alternating between India and the United States, the exercise has been hosted in diverse environments, from the deserts of Rajasthan to the high altitudes of Auli in Uttarakhand. By 2025, it has become a cornerstone of the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership, reflecting shared commitments to a free and open Indo-Pacific. This growth highlights the deepening military ties, with over 20 editions fostering interoperability and cultural understanding between the two democracies.
2. Participating U.S. Army Units
The U.S. Army contingent in Yudh Abhyas 2025 is drawn from the 11th Airborne Division, specifically the 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Arctic), known as the “Arctic Wolves.” Key participants include soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery Regiment, who specialize in artillery operations and played a pivotal role in demonstrating the M119 Howitzer. Other units involved are the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment (“Bobcats”) and elements from the 18th Theater Medical Command. Commanded by Col. Christopher Brawley, this group brings expertise in Arctic operations, leveraging Alaska's harsh conditions to train in cold-weather survival and mobility. The U.S. forces aim to share best practices in air-to-ground integration, electronic warfare, and sustainment in austere environments, enhancing joint capabilities with their Indian partners. This participation aligns with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command strategies, emphasizing lethality, partnerships, and transformation in regional security dynamics.
3. Indian Army Contingent Overview
The Indian Army contingent for Yudh Abhyas 2025 comprises around 600 personnel from the RAJPUT Regiment, along with supporting arms and services, led by a brigade commander. Arriving in Fairbanks, Alaska, on August 31, 2025, these soldiers bring extensive experience in high-altitude and mountain warfare, drawn from India's rugged Himalayan borders. The group includes infantry, artillery, and medical specialists, equipped to engage in tactical drills and live-fire exercises. Under the guidance of Brigadier Rajiv Saharan, the contingent focuses on integrating Indian tactics with U.S. procedures, sharing insights on cold-weather injury prevention and infectious disease management. This participation not only tests their adaptability to sub-Arctic conditions but also strengthens bilateral ties, as India conducts more joint exercises with the U.S. than any other nation, including Malabar and Vajra Prahar.
4. Strategic Locations for Training
Yudh Abhyas 2025 is conducted across multiple sites in Alaska, including Fort Wainwright, the Yukon Training Area, and the Donnelly Training Area. These locations provide a realistic backdrop for Arctic and high-altitude simulations, with Fort Wainwright serving as the main base for command post exercises and medical simulations. The Yukon Training Area, known for its vast, rugged terrain, hosted the artillery exchange on September 6, where soldiers practiced pre-fire checks amid freezing temperatures. Donnelly Training Area supports live-fire drills and maneuver training, offering expansive ranges for artillery and aviation integration. Alaska's strategic position near key Indo-Pacific corridors enhances the exercise's relevance, allowing troops to train in extreme cold, limited visibility, and logistical challenges. This setting tests endurance and equipment, preparing forces for potential operations in similar environments across the region.
5. Core Objectives of the Exercise
The primary objectives of Yudh Abhyas 2025 revolve around enhancing interoperability, building joint readiness, and fostering mutual trust between the U.S. and Indian Armies. Sponsored by the U.S. Army Pacific Command, the exercise aims to refine coordination at brigade and battalion levels, integrate operational enablers like artillery and aviation, and develop doctrines for air-to-ground operations. It supports broader goals of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, addressing threats such as counterterrorism, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief. By exchanging tactics and procedures, both armies seek to improve responses to multi-domain challenges, including electronic warfare and counter-drone systems. Ultimately, the exercise demonstrates how two democracies collaborate for global peace, security, and prosperity, aligning with the U.S.-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.
6. Artillery Best Practices Exchange in Detail
A standout feature of Yudh Abhyas 2025 is the exchange of artillery best practices, exemplified by the demonstration of pre-fire checks on the M119 Howitzer at the Yukon Training Area on September 6. U.S. soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery Regiment showcased operational techniques, safety protocols, and maintenance procedures for this lightweight, towed artillery system, while Indian Army observers shared their insights on high-altitude artillery deployment. This mutual learning session aimed to standardize procedures for joint operations, enhancing accuracy and efficiency in live-fire scenarios. The exchange included discussions on ammunition handling, targeting systems, and integration with unmanned aerial vehicles for reconnaissance. Such collaborations build confidence in combined firepower, crucial for scenarios in the Indo-Pacific where rapid artillery support could be decisive.
7. Technical Specifications of the M119 Howitzer
The M119 Howitzer, a 105mm lightweight towed artillery piece, is central to the artillery exchange in Yudh Abhyas 2025. Weighing approximately 4,200 pounds, it offers high mobility, deployable by helicopter or parachute, making it ideal for Arctic and mountainous terrains. With a maximum range of 14 kilometers using standard ammunition and up to 19 kilometers with rocket-assisted projectiles, the M119 provides precise, rapid fire support. During the pre-fire checks on September 6, U.S. soldiers emphasized safety inspections, bore sighting, and recoil system verification, allowing Indian troops to observe and compare with their own systems like the Dhanush or M777 howitzers. This hands-on session highlighted the weapon's role in indirect fire missions, fostering cross-training that could enhance joint artillery batteries in future operations.
8. Medical Readiness and Joint Academic Exchanges
Medical readiness forms a critical component of Yudh Abhyas 2025, with a joint academic exchange at Fort Wainwright's Medical Simulation Training Center. U.S. and Indian medical personnel discussed combat medicine in austere environments, including patient evacuation, antimicrobial resistance, and high-altitude physiology. Indian experts shared preventive practices like the “hand and foot parade” for frostbite, while U.S. teams demonstrated triage and stabilization techniques. Hands-on simulations covered casualty care in dispersed operations, addressing logistical hurdles in the Indo-Pacific. This interoperability training ensures seamless health support during joint missions, from large-scale combat to disaster relief, strengthening overall force sustainment.
9. Field Training Exercises and Battle Drills
The field training phase of Yudh Abhyas 2025 involves rehearsing various battle drills, including heliborne operations, rockcraft, and casualty evacuation. Troops from both armies practice integrated use of artillery, aviation, and electronic warfare systems, culminating in live-fire exercises and high-altitude maneuvers. At the Donnelly Training Area, soldiers simulate multi-domain scenarios, incorporating UAS for surveillance and counter-UAS tactics. These drills validate joint tactics for United Nations peacekeeping and regional crises, emphasizing quick decision-making and coordination. The hands-on approach builds tactical proficiency, ensuring both forces can operate cohesively in challenging environments like the Arctic or Himalayas.
10. Integration of Unmanned Aerial Systems
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) play a pivotal role in Yudh Abhyas 2025, with training focused on surveillance, reconnaissance, and counter-UAS operations. U.S. and Indian troops rehearse deploying drones for real-time intelligence in Arctic conditions, integrating them with artillery for precise targeting. Drills include electronic warfare to disrupt enemy UAS, enhancing defensive capabilities. This focus addresses modern threats in the Indo-Pacific, where drone proliferation poses risks to ground forces. By sharing best practices, the exercise improves joint command and control, ensuring effective use of technology in hybrid warfare scenarios.
11. Cultural Exchanges and Team Building Activities
Beyond tactical training, Yudh Abhyas 2025 incorporates cultural exchanges and team-building events to foster camaraderie. Soldiers participate in sporting events, traditional performances, and shared meals, bridging cultural gaps between the U.S. and Indian Armies. At Fort Wainwright, opening ceremonies featured national anthems and displays of martial arts, promoting mutual respect. These activities build trust, essential for effective joint operations, and highlight shared democratic values. Professional workshops on leadership and ethics further strengthen interpersonal bonds, contributing to long-term partnership durability.
12. Broader Implications for Indo-Pacific Security
Yudh Abhyas 2025 holds significant implications for Indo-Pacific security, reinforcing the U.S.-India commitment to counter regional threats like territorial disputes and maritime challenges. By enhancing interoperability in high-altitude and Arctic environments, the exercise prepares forces for potential contingencies along India's northern borders or in the Arctic routes. It aligns with initiatives like the Quad and supports a rules-based order, deterring aggression from actors such as China. The focus on hybrid threats and disaster response bolsters collective resilience, promoting stability and prosperity in a volatile region.
13. Evolution of U.S.-India Defense Relations
The U.S.-India defense partnership has evolved dramatically since the early 2000s, with Yudh Abhyas serving as a flagship exercise. From foundational agreements like the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) to advanced collaborations in technology transfer, ties have deepened amid shared concerns over Indo-Pacific dynamics. Defense trade has surged to over $20 billion, including co-production of systems like the M777 howitzer. Exercises like this one exemplify the shift from buyer-seller relations to strategic allies, encompassing intelligence sharing and joint ventures. This progression underscores a mutual vision for global security, with Yudh Abhyas adapting to emerging threats like cyber warfare.
14. Challenges and Adaptations in Arctic Training
Training in Alaska's Arctic conditions presents unique challenges, including extreme cold, limited daylight, and logistical constraints, which Yudh Abhyas 2025 addresses through adaptive strategies. Soldiers practice cold-weather survival, equipment maintenance in sub-zero temperatures, and extended evacuation routes. Indian troops, accustomed to Himalayan altitudes, adapt to Arctic specifics like permafrost navigation, while U.S. forces share expertise in insulated gear and heated shelters. These adaptations enhance resilience, preparing for hybrid operations where environmental factors could impact mission success. The exercise's focus on sustainment ensures forces remain combat-effective in prolonged engagements.
15. Role of Live-Fire Exercises in Readiness
Live-fire exercises are integral to Yudh Abhyas 2025, providing realistic testing of joint firepower and coordination. At the Donnelly Training Area, troops conduct artillery barrages using the M119 Howitzer and demonstrate the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). These sessions validate targeting accuracy, fire support integration, and safety protocols under simulated combat. By incorporating aviation assets for forward observation, the drills improve response times and minimize collateral risks. This hands-on experience builds confidence in combined arms operations, essential for deterring threats in contested environments.
16. Future Prospects and Expansion of Yudh Abhyas
Looking ahead, Yudh Abhyas is poised for further expansion, with the 2026 edition scheduled in India potentially incorporating cyber defense and space domain awareness. As geopolitical tensions rise, the exercise could include multilateral elements, inviting partners like Japan or Australia. Advancements in AI-driven simulations and sustainable logistics may feature prominently, aligning with modernization efforts in both armies. This trajectory will solidify the U.S.-India alliance, contributing to a balanced power structure in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
17. Conclusion: Strengthening Global Partnerships
In conclusion, Yudh Abhyas 2025 exemplifies the robust U.S.-India defense collaboration, blending tactical excellence with strategic vision. Through artillery exchanges, medical simulations, and cultural interactions, the exercise fortifies joint capabilities against diverse threats. As both nations navigate a complex security landscape, such initiatives ensure readiness, deterrence, and shared prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.
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