Description

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Context:

The Indian Army contingent departed for the 15^th edition of India- US joint Special Forces Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR.

Details:

The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 2^nd to 22^nd November 2024 at Orchard Combat Training Centre in Idaho, USA.

Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR aims to promote military cooperation between India and the US through the enhancement of interoperability, jointness, and mutual exchange of special operations tactics.

The joint exercise by the Special Forces of both is conducted alternatively between India and the United States.

Special Forces are the units of a country's armed forces that undertake covert, counterterrorist, & other specialized operations.

The exercise will enhance combined capabilities in executing joint Special Forces Operations in desert/semi-desert environments.

The exercise will focus on a high degree of physical fitness, joint planning, and joint tactical drills.

Other exercises

Exercise Name	Branches Involved	Frequency	Description
*Yudh Abhyas*	Army	Annual	Joint military training exercise aimed at strengthening interoperability and sharing tactical and operational knowledge between the two armies.
*Malabar*	Navy	Annual	Naval exercise originally between India and the US, now includes Japan and Australia, aimed at enhancing maritime security and operational sync.
*Cope India*	Air Force	Biennial	Enhances cooperation and understanding between the Indian and US Air Forces, involving air operations and best practice exchanges.
*Tiger Triumph*	Tri-Service	Occasional	Focuses on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), demonstrating inter-operability in responding to natural disasters.
*Shatrujeet*	Army	Occasional	Anti-terrorism and counter-insurgency exercise to build capabilities and preparedness in asymmetric warfare.
*Sangam*	Navy (Special Forces)	Biennial	Joint exercise between the special forces of the Indian Navy (MARCOS) and the US Navy SEALs, focusing on maritime special operations.
*Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC)*	Navy	Biennial	The largest international maritime exercise in which India participates, focusing on multi-nation maritime security.

READ ABOUT

INDIA-US TIES

India-U.S. Relations

INDIA-US RELATIONS

READ ABOUT THE EXERCISE HERE IN DETAIL- https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/vajra-prahar-2023

Source:

PIB

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following Exercises:

Exercise	Counties
Exercise Vajra Prahar	India and Sri Lanka
Exercise Yudh Abhyas	India and the United States
Exercise Malabar	India, Japan, Taiwan and Australia

How many of the above-given countries are correctly matched?

(a) Only One

(b) Only two

(d) None

Answer: a

Explanation:

Pair 1 is incorrect: Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR is a joint exercise conducted between the Indian Army and US Army Special Forces. The aim of Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR is to promote military cooperation between India and the US through the enhancement of interoperability, jointness, and mutual exchange of special operations tactics.

Pair 2 is correct: Exercise Yudh Abhyas is a joint military exercise between India and the United States that takes place annually. The exercise aims to improve cooperation and military capabilities between the two countries.

Pair 3 is incorrect: Exercise Malabar is a naval exercise that involves the United States, Japan, India, and Australia.