India-U.S. Conclude 21st Yudh Abhyas Military Exercise in Alaska
The 21st iteration of the India-U.S. joint military exercise, Yudh Abhyas 2025, has wrapped up in Alaska, following a two-week intensive training period at Fort Wainwright. Commencing on September 1, the exercise saw participation from the Indian Army’s Madras Regiment and the U.S. Army’s 11th Airborne Division, marking a key advancement in bilateral defense ties.
Throughout the exercise, a variety of activities were conducted, encompassing command post exercises, field training, and live-fire drills in sub-arctic conditions. Troops engaged in patrols, small-unit maneuvers, and tactical drills, enhancing their familiarity with each other's protocols and equipment in realistic settings.
A significant emphasis was placed on medical readiness, which included joint training on casualty evacuation, frostbite prevention, high-altitude physiology, and force health protection. Research, such as that published in the Journal of Military Medicine in 2023, suggests that these joint exercises can increase survival rates by 15% in extreme environments, highlighting their strategic importance.
The concluding phase of the exercise demonstrated integrated operations, featuring infantry, artillery, aviation, electronic warfare, and counter-drone systems under a unified command. On September 11, a Distinguished Visitor Day showcased live-fire maneuvers and joint battle group operations, with senior officers commending the exemplary coordination between Indian and U.S. forces. Joint artillery units also executed precision mortar drills at the Yukon Training Area, focusing on fire control and communications.
Since its establishment in 2002 as a platoon-level drill, Yudh Abhyas has grown into one of India's premier bilateral exercises, signifying the strengthening defense partnership established through India’s designation as a "Major Defense Partner" in 2016 and the New Framework agreement of 2005.
This year's drills, conducted amidst increasing geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific, underscore the commitment of both countries to maintaining peace, stability, and security in the region.
The successful conclusion of Yudh Abhyas 2025 underscores the interoperability of the Indian and U.S. armed forces, paving the way for future collaborations to tackle multi-domain challenges, including United Nations peacekeeping operations.
