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With 45 soldiers each from both sides, the exercise’s small size allows for close interaction and concentrated learning
The Indian Army has dispatched a Special Forces contingent to the United States to participate in the 15th edition of the joint India-US Special Forces Exercise, “Vajra Prahar.” This year, the exercise is scheduled to take place from November 2 to November 22, 2024 at the Orchard Combat Training Centre in Idaho, USA. The event marks the continuation of strategic defense exercises between India and the US, building upon last year's session held in Umroi, Meghalaya, in December 2023.
This iteration of Vajra Prahar follows Exercise Yudh Abhyas, held in Rajasthan in September 2024, and is the second collaborative military event between the two armies this year. It underscores the commitment of both nations to strengthening defense cooperation, particularly through specialized training that improves joint readiness in diverse operational settings.
The Indian Army contingent is represented by 45 personnel from its elite Special Forces units, while the US Army brings an equal number of its renowned Green Berets, known for their advanced expertise in unconventional warfare. Both contingents aim to refine their ability to conduct joint special operations in desert and semi-desert environments—a setting designed to test resilience and operational adaptability. The exercise’s small size allows for close interaction and concentrated learning.
Exercise Vajra Prahar is built around several core objectives aimed at enhancing the military partnership between India and the US. Central to this collaboration is promoting interoperability—ensuring both forces can perform joint operations with efficiency and trust. The exchange of tactics and operational expertise is a vital component, giving both sides valuable insights into each other’s methodologies and systems.
India’s Ministry of Defence emphasised that the main objective of Vajra Prahar is to deepen military cooperation, enhance interoperability, and foster mutual understanding. “The aim of this exercise is to promote military cooperation between India and the US through the enhancement of interoperability, jointness, and mutual exchange of special operations tactics,” the Ministry said.
Throughout the exercise, both forces will undergo rigorous training that focuses on various critical aspects of modern special operations. The high-intensity drills will include planning and executing joint team missions, reconnaissance operations, and special tactical exercises that simulate real combat scenarios.
One of the specialised areas of training in this edition of Vajra Prahar includes the employment of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for enhanced reconnaissance capabilities, particularly in complex terrains. UAS technology has become essential in modern warfare for gathering intelligence and providing real-time situational awareness to ground troops, making it a crucial aspect of this joint training.
In addition to UAS deployment, soldiers will engage in tactical drills that cover psychological warfare and joint terminal attack control. The psychological warfare training involves developing skills in messaging and operations that influence enemy forces, while joint terminal attack control teaches soldiers to coordinate air support in precision strikes. Together, these components aim to broaden the scope of skills and coordination required in high-stakes scenarios.
Another focus of Exercise Vajra Prahar is to foster camaraderie and trust between the soldiers of both nations. With a history of cooperation in defense and security matters, India and the US are committed to strengthening their military-to-military ties.
For two weeks, Indian and American soldiers will collaborate on various drills designed to promote joint planning, seamless communication, and strategic coordination. By the end of the exercise, both forces are expected to be more adept at conducting joint operations, ready to support each other in both training and potential combat scenarios.
Vajra Prahar holds a special place in the defence partnership between India and the US, as both nations prioritise strengthening ties through tactical and operational collaborations. The ongoing series of Vajra Prahar exercises and other collaborations like Yudh Abhyas signal the growing defence partnership that has become a core component of India-US bilateral relations.
This exercise comes at a time of increased global attention on Indo-Pacific security, where the military cooperation between India and the US plays a crucial role in maintaining regional stability. Through such joint exercises, both nations aim to enhance readiness, improve tactical coordination, and ensure they are better equipped to respond to a range of challenges.
The growing defense partnership, represented through these exercises, aligns with the broader strategic goals shared by India and the US. The focus on joint training in various terrains, from desert to semi-desert environments, is particularly valuable as both countries prepare to address future security needs.
The 15th edition of Vajra Prahar represents another step forward in the India-US defense partnership. With special forces from both countries training together in Idaho, the exercise is set to promote jointness, interoperability, and mutual trust—values central to the strong defence cooperation that has come to define the relationship between India and the United States.
This iteration of Vajra Prahar follows Exercise Yudh Abhyas, held in Rajasthan in September 2024, and is the second collaborative military event between the two armies this year. It underscores the commitment of both nations to strengthening defense cooperation, particularly through specialized training that improves joint readiness in diverse operational settings.
The Indian Army contingent is represented by 45 personnel from its elite Special Forces units, while the US Army brings an equal number of its renowned Green Berets, known for their advanced expertise in unconventional warfare. Both contingents aim to refine their ability to conduct joint special operations in desert and semi-desert environments—a setting designed to test resilience and operational adaptability. The exercise’s small size allows for close interaction and concentrated learning.
Exercise Vajra Prahar is built around several core objectives aimed at enhancing the military partnership between India and the US. Central to this collaboration is promoting interoperability—ensuring both forces can perform joint operations with efficiency and trust. The exchange of tactics and operational expertise is a vital component, giving both sides valuable insights into each other’s methodologies and systems.
India’s Ministry of Defence emphasised that the main objective of Vajra Prahar is to deepen military cooperation, enhance interoperability, and foster mutual understanding. “The aim of this exercise is to promote military cooperation between India and the US through the enhancement of interoperability, jointness, and mutual exchange of special operations tactics,” the Ministry said.
Throughout the exercise, both forces will undergo rigorous training that focuses on various critical aspects of modern special operations. The high-intensity drills will include planning and executing joint team missions, reconnaissance operations, and special tactical exercises that simulate real combat scenarios.
One of the specialised areas of training in this edition of Vajra Prahar includes the employment of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for enhanced reconnaissance capabilities, particularly in complex terrains. UAS technology has become essential in modern warfare for gathering intelligence and providing real-time situational awareness to ground troops, making it a crucial aspect of this joint training.
In addition to UAS deployment, soldiers will engage in tactical drills that cover psychological warfare and joint terminal attack control. The psychological warfare training involves developing skills in messaging and operations that influence enemy forces, while joint terminal attack control teaches soldiers to coordinate air support in precision strikes. Together, these components aim to broaden the scope of skills and coordination required in high-stakes scenarios.
Another focus of Exercise Vajra Prahar is to foster camaraderie and trust between the soldiers of both nations. With a history of cooperation in defense and security matters, India and the US are committed to strengthening their military-to-military ties.
For two weeks, Indian and American soldiers will collaborate on various drills designed to promote joint planning, seamless communication, and strategic coordination. By the end of the exercise, both forces are expected to be more adept at conducting joint operations, ready to support each other in both training and potential combat scenarios.
Vajra Prahar holds a special place in the defence partnership between India and the US, as both nations prioritise strengthening ties through tactical and operational collaborations. The ongoing series of Vajra Prahar exercises and other collaborations like Yudh Abhyas signal the growing defence partnership that has become a core component of India-US bilateral relations.
This exercise comes at a time of increased global attention on Indo-Pacific security, where the military cooperation between India and the US plays a crucial role in maintaining regional stability. Through such joint exercises, both nations aim to enhance readiness, improve tactical coordination, and ensure they are better equipped to respond to a range of challenges.
The growing defense partnership, represented through these exercises, aligns with the broader strategic goals shared by India and the US. The focus on joint training in various terrains, from desert to semi-desert environments, is particularly valuable as both countries prepare to address future security needs.
The 15th edition of Vajra Prahar represents another step forward in the India-US defense partnership. With special forces from both countries training together in Idaho, the exercise is set to promote jointness, interoperability, and mutual trust—values central to the strong defence cooperation that has come to define the relationship between India and the United States.
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