The 21st edition of the India-U.S. joint military exercise, Yudh Abhyas 2025, concluded today in Alaska after two weeks of intensive training at Fort Wainwright. The exercise, which began on September 1, brought together personnel from the Indian Army’s Madras Regiment and the U.S. Army’s 11th Airborne Division, marking a significant milestone in bilateral defense cooperation.
The exercise featured a range of activities, including command post exercises, field training, and live-fire drills in sub-arctic terrain. Troops engaged in patrols, small-unit maneuvers, and tactical drills, building familiarity with each other’s procedures and equipment under realistic conditions.
A key focus was medical readiness, with joint training on casualty evacuation, frostbite prevention, high-altitude physiology, and force health protection. Studies, such as those published in the Journal of Military Medicine (2023), indicate that such joint drills can improve survival rates by 15% in extreme environments, underscoring the exercise’s strategic value.
The final phase showcased integrated operations involving infantry, artillery, aviation, electronic warfare, and counter-drone systems under joint command. On September 11, a Distinguished Visitor Day highlighted live-fire maneuvers and combined battle group operations, with senior officers praising the seamless coordination between Indian and U.S. forces. Joint artillery units also conducted precision mortar drills at the Yukon Training Area, testing fire control and communications.
Since its inception in 2002 as a platoon-level drill, Yudh Abhyas has evolved into one of India’s most advanced bilateral exercises, reflecting the growing defense partnership formalized by India’s designation as a “Major Defense Partner” in 2016 and the 2005 New Framework agreement.
This year’s exercise, held against the backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific, reinforces the commitment of both nations to peace, stability, and security in the region.
The successful completion of Yudh Abhyas 2025 highlights the interoperability of the Indian and U.S. armed forces, setting the stage for future collaborations to address multi-domain challenges, including United Nations peacekeeping operations.
