Soldiers from the U.S. 11th Airborne Division and the Indian Army have started Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2025 at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. The opening ceremony took place on September 2, marking the beginning of two weeks of joint training intended to improve cooperation and readiness between the two countries’ land forces.
This year’s exercise is the 18th in the series and will run from September 1 to 14 at several locations in Alaska, including Fort Wainwright, Yukon Training Area, and Donnelly Training Area. The event is sponsored by U.S. Army Pacific Command and features participation from the U.S. Army’s 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment “Bobcats,” part of the 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Arctic), along with a comparable contingent from India’s 65th Infantry Brigade.
“Together, we sharpen our skills for peacekeeping, humanitarian response, and combat operations because we know that the challenges of the future will demand cooperation across borders,” said Col. Christopher Brawley, commander of the 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Arctic), 11th Airborne Division. “When our soldiers trained side by side, we demonstrate to the world that our partnership is strong, enduring and prepared to meet any challenge.”
Yudh Abhyas began in 2004 as a counterinsurgency exchange but has since grown to include command post exercises at brigade level and field training focused on various threats as well as disaster relief efforts. This year’s activities include a command post exercise connected with a bilateral field training event. Soldiers will participate in artillery live-fire drills, academic exchanges, cultural events, and combined tactical operations adapted to Alaska’s environment.
The goals for this year include improving readiness and interoperability between both armies, strengthening coordination among brigade and battalion staffs, integrating operational support elements, and refining air-to-ground integration practices. These objectives are also part of a wider strategy by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command aimed at reinforcing regional partnerships.
“Exercises such as Yudh Abhyas create the ideal environment to test concepts, refined procedures and most importantly, learn from each other’s experience,” said Brigadier Rajeev Sahara, commander of India’s 65th Infantry Brigade. “I thank our American hosts as the partnership continues to be invaluable to us.”
Over time Yudh Abhyas has expanded its focus beyond counterinsurgency to address current military challenges faced by both nations. Previous exercises have included high-altitude training environments and joint responses to crises like natural disasters.
The program also allows for cultural exchanges through sporting events and professional development workshops. Soldiers from both countries will work together throughout planning stages as well as execution and review phases.
Yudh Abhyas alternates each year between India and the United States; this edition takes place in Alaska while next year it will return to India.
Alaska serves as an important location for these drills due to its proximity to Arctic regions and key Indo-Pacific routes. For Indian participants it offers experience working alongside U.S. forces skilled in cold-weather operations.
The exercise supports priorities set out by U.S. Army Pacific such as transformation initiatives and partnership building efforts while also reflecting broader defense ties between Washington and New Delhi through ongoing joint exercises and personnel exchanges.