India’s military diplomacy has been in top gear, with a series of joint and domestic exercises in 2024-2025 showcasing its commitment to defense readiness, international cooperation, and strategic partnerships. From the deserts of Rajasthan to the Indian Ocean, these exercises—bilateral, multilateral, and domestic—demonstrate India’s growing prowess and interoperability with global allies. Below, we’ve compiled a detailed list of these exercises, their objectives, why they’re famous, and engaging facts to make them unforgettable. Dive into the tables and explore how these drills strengthen global security!
Bilateral Military Exercises: Strengthening Ties with Partners
Bilateral exercises involve India and one other nation, focusing on enhancing interoperability, sharing tactics, and building camaraderie. These drills are critical for addressing regional security challenges and fostering trust.
| Exercise Name | Participating Countries | Location | Details | Why Famous? | Fun Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6th Dustlik 2025 | India-Uzbekistan | Aundh, Pune, Maharashtra, India | Held from Feb 2025, focuses on multi-domain sub-conventional operations in semi-urban terrain, including tactical drills like heliborne operations and room intervention. | Named after Dustlik, a town in Uzbekistan, it’s a symbol of growing India-Central Asia defense ties since 2019. | Soldiers practice “room intervention” drills, mastering close-quarter combat like in action movies! |
| 4th Tiger Triumph 2025 | India-USA | Visakhapatnam & Kakinada, India | A tri-service HADR exercise (Mar 2025) focusing on disaster relief, joint operations, and interoperability in the Indian Ocean Region. | A flagship India-US exercise, it highlights their strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific. | The name “Tiger Triumph” evokes the strength of both nations’ mascots—India’s tiger and the US eagle! |
| 14th Indra 2025 | India-Russia | Chennai & Bay of Bengal, India | A tri-service exercise (Mar 28-Apr 2, 2025) with harbor and sea phases, focusing on maritime security and counter-terrorism. | A biennial drill since 2003, it showcases India-Russia’s enduring defense ties despite global tensions. | Russian and Indian sailors share vodka and chai during cultural exchanges in the harbor phase! |
| 23rd Varuna 2025 | India-France | Arabian Sea | A naval exercise (Apr 2025) focusing on anti-submarine warfare, air defense, and joint maneuvers. | A cornerstone of India-France naval cooperation since 1993, it strengthens Indo-Pacific maritime security. | French and Indian ships practice “cross-deck” landings, where helicopters swap carriers mid-sea! |
| 6th Dharma Guardian 2025 | India-Japan | Japan | An army exercise focusing on counter-terrorism and disaster response in urban and semi-urban settings. | Enhances India-Japan Quad partnership, critical for Indo-Pacific stability. | Japanese and Indian troops train in “bushido” and “josh” spirit, blending martial cultures! |
| 3rd Cyclone 2025 | India-Egypt | Mahajan Field Firing Range, Rajasthan, India | Focuses on desert warfare, counter-terrorism, and joint tactical operations. | Strengthens India’s defense ties with Egypt, a key African and Middle Eastern partner. | Troops train in Rajasthan’s scorching deserts, testing endurance like ancient warriors! |
| 13th Ekuverin 2025 | India-Maldives | Maafilaafushi, Maldives | Held Feb 2-15, 2025, focuses on counter-insurgency and HADR operations. | Means “Friends” in Dhivehi, symbolizing India-Maldives trust since 2009. | Indian and Maldivian troops practice diving ops, perfect for island-based scenarios! |
| 18th Surya Kiran 2024 | India-Nepal | Saljhandi, Nepal | Focuses on jungle warfare, counter-insurgency, and HADR in mountainous terrain. | Deepens India-Nepal ties, critical for Himalayan security. | Named “Surya Kiran” (Sun Ray), it reflects the bright bond between neighbors! |
| 11th SLINEX 2024 | India-Sri Lanka | Visakhapatnam, India | A naval exercise focusing on maritime security, anti-piracy, and interoperability. | Strengthens India-Sri Lanka’s “Neighbourhood First” policy in the Indian Ocean. | Includes mock pirate chases, making it feel like a naval action thriller! |
| CINBAX-I 2024 | India-Cambodia | Pune, India | Focuses on counter-terrorism, peacekeeping, and joint tactical drills. | Marks India’s growing defense engagement with ASEAN nations. | Troops share stories of ancient Angkor Wat and Indian temples during downtime! |
| Harimau Shakti 2024 | India-Malaysia | Bentong Camp, Malaysia | Focuses on jungle warfare and counter-insurgency operations. | Enhances India-Malaysia ties in ASEAN, focusing on shared security concerns. | “Harimau” means “Tiger” in Malay, symbolizing fierce combat skills! |
| 9th Garuda Shakti 2024 | India-Indonesia | Cijantung, Jakarta, Indonesia | Focuses on special forces operations, counter-terrorism, and urban warfare. | Strengthens India-Indonesia ties as maritime neighbors in the Indo-Pacific. | Note: No evidence supports a second 2024 Garuda Shakti in Idaho; likely a data error. |
| 13th Agni Warrior 2024 | India-Singapore | Maharashtra, India | Concluded Nov 30, 2024, focusing on joint tactical operations and counter-terrorism. | A key exercise for India-Singapore defense cooperation in ASEAN. | Named “Agni” (fire), it symbolizes the blazing spirit of both armies! |
| 5th VINBAX 2024 | India-Vietnam | Ambala & Chandimandir, Haryana, India | Focuses on peacekeeping, HADR, and engineering operations. | Strengthens India-Vietnam strategic ties in the South China Sea region. | Vietnamese and Indian troops bond over phở and chai during breaks! |
| 3rd Austrahind 2024 | India-Australia | Pune, Maharashtra, India | Focuses on joint tactical drills and counter-terrorism. | Bolsters India-Australia Quad partnership for Indo-Pacific security. | Aussie and Indian soldiers share slang, like “mate” and “bhai,” for fun! |
| 15th Vajra Prahar 2024 | India-USA | Indonesia | Special forces exercise focusing on counter-terrorism and joint mission planning. | A key India-US drill, often held in third countries to test adaptability. | Troops train in jungle survival, like modern-day Rambo missions! |
| 31st SIMBEX 2024 | India-Singapore | Visakhapatnam, India | A naval exercise focusing on anti-submarine warfare and maritime security. | A long-standing drill since 1994, vital for Singapore-India naval ties. | Includes mock submarine hunts, like a high-stakes naval chess game! |
| Naseem-Al-Bahr 2024 | India-Oman | Off Goa, India | Focuses on maritime security, anti-piracy, and joint naval maneuvers. | Strengthens India-Oman ties in the Arabian Sea, a key trade route. | Means “Sea Breeze,” evoking the calm yet powerful nature of naval ops! |
| 5th Al Najah 2024 | India-Oman | Salalah, Oman | Focuses on counter-terrorism and desert warfare operations. | Enhances India-Oman defense ties in the Middle East. | Troops train in Oman’s deserts, like scenes from a Lawrence of Arabia remake! |
| 20th Yudh Abhyas 2024 | India-USA | Mahajan Field Firing Range, Rajasthan, India | Focuses on counter-insurgency and joint operations, with US Stryker vehicles. | One of the largest India-US exercises, showcasing advanced tech like HIMARS. | US troops tried spicy Rajasthani food, bonding over fiery flavors! |
| 10th Mitra Shakti 2024 | India-Sri Lanka | Maduroya, Sri Lanka | Focuses on counter-insurgency and jungle warfare. | Strengthens India-Sri Lanka defense ties under “Neighbourhood First.” | Means “Friendship Power,” reflecting the close bond between nations! |
| Udaar Shakti 2024 | India-Malaysia | Kuantan, Malaysia | An air force exercise focusing on interoperability and tactical coordination. | Bolsters India-Malaysia air force ties in ASEAN. | Pilots share tips on flying in tropical storms, a shared challenge! |
| 16th Nomadic Elephant 2024 | India-Mongolia | Umroi, Meghalaya, India | Focuses on semi-urban and mountainous terrain operations under UN mandate. | Strengthens India-Mongolia ties, rooted in historical Buddhist connections. | Mongolian troops learn Bollywood dance moves during cultural nights! |
| 13th Maitri 2024 | India-Thailand | Umroi, Meghalaya, India | Focuses on counter-insurgency, peacekeeping, and HADR. | Enhances India-Thailand ASEAN defense cooperation. | Means “Friendship,” symbolizing warm bilateral ties! |
| 8th KAZIND 2024 | India-Kazakhstan | Surya Foreign Training Node, Uttarakhand, India | Focuses on counter-terrorism and high-altitude operations. | Strengthens India-Central Asia defense ties. | Named after Kazakhstan-India, it’s a bridge between continents! |
Multilateral Military Exercises: Global Collaboration in Action
Multilateral exercises involve multiple nations, fostering complex coordination and addressing global security challenges like piracy and disaster response.
| Exercise Name | Participating Countries | Location | Details | Why Famous? | Fun Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desert Flag-10 2025 | Multinational (UAE, India, others) | Al Dhafra Air Base, UAE | An air force exercise (Apr 2025) focusing on air combat, interoperability, and advanced tactics. | A prestigious UAE-led drill, it showcases India’s air power alongside global air forces. | Indian Sukhoi jets dazzle with maneuvers, like aerial acrobats in the desert sky! |
| Aikeyme 2025 | India, Tanzania, 10 African nations | Indian Ocean, off Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania | India’s first multilateral naval exercise with African nations (Apr 13-18, 2025), focusing on anti-piracy and maritime security. | Marks India’s growing maritime influence in Africa under the IOS Sagar initiative. | Means “Key Maritime Engagement,” it’s like a naval summit for African-Indian unity! |
| Sea Dragon 2025 | Multinational (USA, India, others) | Guam Coast, Western Pacific Ocean | A naval exercise focusing on anti-submarine warfare and maritime coordination. | Enhances India’s role in Indo-Pacific security with Quad partners. | Includes underwater “cat-and-mouse” games with submarines! |
| Malabar 2024 | India, USA, Japan, Australia | Visakhapatnam, India | A Quad naval exercise (Oct 2024) focusing on anti-submarine warfare, air defense, and joint maneuvers. | A flagship Quad exercise, it’s a show of strength against regional threats. | Ships from four nations sail in formation, like a maritime parade of power! |
| 21st Khaan Quest 2024 | Multinational (Mongolia, India, others) | Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia | Focuses on peacekeeping and HADR under UN mandate. | A global platform for India to showcase peacekeeping expertise. | Mongolian horse-riding displays awe Indian troops during breaks! |
| Desert Knight 2024 | India, France, UAE | Over Arabian Sea | A trilateral air force exercise focusing on air combat and interoperability. | Strengthens India’s air force ties with France and UAE in a strategic region. | Indian and French pilots swap stories of flying Rafale jets, a shared asset! |
Domestic Military Exercises: Sharpening India’s Edge
Domestic exercises involve India’s armed forces, honing internal coordination and readiness for modern warfare.
| Exercise Name | Participating Forces | Location | Details | Why Famous? | Fun Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prachand Prahar 2025 | Indian Army, Navy, Air Force | Arunachal Pradesh, India | A tri-service exercise focusing on multi-domain warfare, precision strikes, and high-altitude operations. | Showcases India’s ability to integrate advanced tech like drones and AI in rugged terrain. | Named “Fierce Strike,” it’s like a Bollywood action sequence in the Himalayas! |
| Tropex 2025 | Indian Navy, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard | Arabian Sea & Bay of Bengal | A massive theater-level exercise testing operational readiness and maritime security. | India’s largest naval exercise, it validates the Navy’s war-fighting capabilities. | Ships, subs, and jets create a “floating fortress” across two seas! |
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