The 21st edition of the India-US joint military exercise Yudh Abhyas 2025 concluded on Monday (local time) at Fort Wainwright and the Yukon Training Area in Alaska, marking the successful completion of two weeks of intensive joint training between the Indian Army and the US Army.
The exercise, which began on September 1 with a formal opening ceremony, saw 450 soldiers from each side participate. The Indian contingent was led by a battalion of the Madras Regiment, while the US side was represented by troops from the 11th Airborne Division.
According to the Indian Embassy in Washington, Yudh Abhyas has grown significantly since its inception in 2002, evolving from a platoon-level peacekeeping drill into one of the most advanced bilateral military exercises India conducts with any partner nation.
This year’s edition was one of the largest for the Indian Army in terms of troop mobilization and featured a comprehensive training curriculum. The final phase focused on integrated operations under a joint command structure, involving infantry, artillery, aviation, electronic warfare, and counter-drone systems.
Live-fire drills, including mortar exercises, were carried out at the Yukon Training Area to test precision targeting, fire control, and communication systems. Field training included small-unit manoeuvres, tactical patrols, sniper and reconnaissance training, counter-IED drills, and obstacle-laying and demolition exercises.
On September 11, a Distinguished Visitor Day showcased live-fire manoeuvres and combined battle group operations. Senior officers from both armies praised the seamless coordination between troops, underscoring the growing synergy between the two forces.
Given Alaska’s challenging sub-arctic conditions, soldiers also trained in medical readiness, including casualty evacuation, frostbite prevention, high-altitude physiology, and force health protection – critical for future operations in extreme weather environments.
The Indian Embassy termed Yudh Abhyas a “hallmark of the growing military-to-military interaction between India and the US, aligned with the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership between both countries.”
The embassy added that the exercise allowed soldiers from both sides to “adapt their procedures to one another and build familiarity under realistic combat conditions,” thereby enhancing interoperability and operational readiness.
(With agency inputs)
