In recent years, India has been increasingly active in participating in international joint military exercises. These exercises provide an opportunity for the Indian Armed Forces to interact and train with their counterparts from other countries, and to learn from each other's experiences.
The first international joint military exercise that India participated in was the 'Cope India' exercise conducted by the US Pacific Air Forces in 2004. This was followed by the 'Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration' held in the UK in 2006. India has also participated in the 'Exercise Pitch Black' conducted by the Royal Australian Air Force in 2008 and the 'Red Flag' exercise conducted by the US Air Force in 2009.
The Indian Army has also participated in a number of joint military exercises with the armed forces of other countries. These have included the 'Garuda' series of exercises with the French Army, the ' Shantir Ogroshena' exercise with the Bangladesh Army, the 'Yudh Abhyas' exercise with the US Army, and the 'Surya Kiran' series of exercises with the Nepalese Army.
The Indian Navy has participated in a number of international naval exercises as well. These have included the 'MALABAR' series of exercises with the US Navy, the 'RIMPAC' exercise with the navies of several Pacific Rim countries, and the 'SANGHARSH' exercise with the navies of several South Asian countries.
The Indian Air Force has also been a part of several international air force exercises. These have included the 'Red Flag' exercise with the US Air Force, the 'COPE India' exercise with the US Pacific Air Forces, the 'Pitch Black' exercise with the Royal Australian Air Force, and the 'Surya Kiran' series of exercises with the Nepalese Army.
The Indian Coast Guard has participated in a number of international coast guard exercises as well. These have included the 'AMAN' exercise with the Pakistani Navy, the 'RIMPAC' exercise with the navies of several Pacific Rim countries, and the 'SANGHARSH' exercise with the navies of several South Asian countries.
The history of international joint military exercises in India is a long and proud one. These exercises have provided valuable opportunities for the Indian Armed Forces to interact with their counterparts from other countries, and to learn from each other's experiences.
The Yudh-Abhyas exercise, an Indo-US joint military exercise, began on February 8th in Rajasthan. India is very interested in establishing relationships with various countries around the world. The integration of military exercises is an unavoidable requirement for the modern combat zone. Apart from economic cooperation and the current difficult situation, the joint military is essential for country cooperation.
Following Kargil, the Indian armed forces were motivated to improve their military cooperation. The most important advantage of joint military exercises is 'strategic signaling.'
The Indian military exercises can be classified into three types:
- Bilateral Exercise
- Multilateral exercise
- Domestic Exercise
- Domestic exercise aims to improve internal engagements and may include inter-services or intra-services depending on the nature and application. Domestic military exercises: Gandiv Vijay Paschim Vijay Prahar Lehar Vayu Shakti
- Bilateral exercises are those that take place between two countries.
- Multilateral exercises - These are military exercises that involve more than one partner nation.
