"Exercise Vajra Prahar": India, US launch joint special forces training in Idaho

India and the United States are set to bolster their joint special forces capabilities with the commencement of "Exercise Vajra Prahar," beginning November 2 in Idaho.

This military exercise is designed to enhance interoperability and exchange best practices for operations in desert and semi-desert environments, Caliber.Az reports via Indian media.

The 15th edition of the India-US joint special forces exercise will take place at the Orchard Combat Training Centre in Idaho, allowing both nations to share valuable experiences and techniques for conducting joint operations. The Indian Army contingent departed on November 1 for participation in the exercise, as confirmed by the defence ministry.

The exercise aims to foster camaraderie and cooperation between the soldiers of both countries, promoting military collaboration through improved interoperability, jointness, and mutual exchange of special operations tactics.

"Exercise Vajra Prahar" will run till November 22. The previous iteration of this exercise was held in December 2023 in Umroi, Meghalaya, while the recent "Exercise Yudh Abhyas" took place in Rajasthan in September.

The joint exercise will see each country contributing 45 personnel, with the Indian contingent represented by Special Forces units and the US Army contingent comprised of the US Army Special Forces, commonly known as the Green Berets.

Key components of the exercise will include joint planning, reconnaissance missions, the use of unmanned aerial systems, execution of special operations, actions of joint terminal attack controllers, and psychological warfare tactics. The focus will be on enhancing combined capabilities in executing special forces operations, emphasizing physical fitness and tactical drills.

By Tamilla Hasanova