Joint military exercise 'Vajra Prahar-2024' between India and America

Tags: Defence

EXERCISE ‘VAJRA PRAHAR’-2024

Why in news:

• The Indian Army contingent departed today for the 15th edition of India- US joint Special Forces.

Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR-2024:

• The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 2nd to 22nd November 2024 at Orchard Combat Training Centre in Idaho, USA. Last edition of the same exercise was conducted at Umroi, Meghalaya in December 2023. 
• This will be the second exercise of the year between Indian and the US Army, the previous being Exercise YUDH ABHYAS 2024, conducted at Rajasthan in September 2024.
• Contingents of both the countries taking part in the joint exercise will comprise 45 personnel each. The Indian Army contingent will be represented by Special Forces units and the US Army contingent will be represented by Green Berets of the US.

Aim of the exercise:

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

Significance:

• Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR will enable the two sides to share their best practices and experiences for conduct of joint Special Forces Operations.
• The exercise will facilitate developing interoperability, bonhomie and camaraderie between soldiers of both the countries.