The 21st edition of Exercise Yudh Abhyas, the annual India–US Army bilateral exercise, concluded in Alaska after two weeks of intensive training that highlighted the growing strategic cooperation between the two countries.

In a statement, the Indian Embassy in Washington described the exercise as a “milestone in India–US defence cooperation,” reflecting the shared commitment under their Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.

This year’s drills, held from September 1 to 14 at Fort Wainwright and the Yukon Training Area, brought together 450 soldiers each from both nations. The Indian contingent was represented by a battalion of the Madras Regiment, while the U.S. Army fielded troops from its 11th Airborne Division.

The exercise featured a combination of command post operations and field maneuvers in sub-arctic conditions, designed to build interoperability and enhance joint operational readiness. Indian and American officers planned and coordinated missions together at brigade and battalion levels before moving into live field exercises.

Troops trained in specialized areas including sniper operations, reconnaissance, counter-IED measures, and the use of obstacles and demolitions. The field phase culminated in live-fire drills, with joint firing and mortar exercises that tested coordination in fire control and communication under demanding terrain conditions.

“Exercises like Yudh Abhyas allow soldiers to adapt to each other’s methods and operate effectively under realistic combat scenarios,” the embassy noted.

Launched in 2002 as a peacekeeping-focused platoon-level drill, Yudh Abhyas has since expanded in scale and complexity. It alternates between India and the United States, and the 2025 edition was among the largest ever for the Indian Army in terms of troop participation.