Two Indian Army contingents on Friday left for US and Indonesia respectively to take part in Special Forces exercises there.

Giving details here, officials said the Indian contingent left for

the 15th edition of India- US joint Special Forces Exercise Vajra Prahar. The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from November two to 22 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 second exercise of the year between Indian and the US Army, the previous being Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2024, conducted at Rajasthan in September.

Contingents of both the countries taking part in the upcoming 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 US.

Aim of the exercise 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 environment.

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

Drills/ aspects to be rehearsed during the exercise will include planning a Joint Team Mission, Reconnaissance Mission, employment of Unmanned Aerial Systems, execution of Special Operations, actions of Joint Terminal Attack Controller and Psychological Warfare in Special Operations.

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 inter-operability, bonhomie and camaraderie between soldiers of both the countries. The Indian Army contingent comprising 25 personnel departed for Cijantung, Jakarta, Indonesia to take part in the ninth edition of India-Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise Garud  Shakti 24.  The Exercise will be conducted from November one to 12. The Indian contingent is being represented by troops from The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) and Indonesian contingent comprising 40 personnel is being represented by Indonesian Special Forces Kopassus. The aim of Exercise GARUD SHAKTI 24 is to acquaint both the sides with each other's operating procedures, enhance mutual understanding, cooperation and interoperability between the Special Forces of both armies.

The Exercise is designed to develop bilateral military cooperation and strengthen bond between two armies through conduct of discussions and rehearsal of tactical military drills.

The drill will involve planning and execution of special operations, orientation to advance special forces skills, sharing of information on weapon, equipment, innovations, tactics, techniques & procedures.

Joint Exercise will also involve jointly practicing Special Forces Operations in Jungle terrain, strikes on terrorist camps and a Validation Exercise integrating basic and advance special forces skills apart from gaining an insight into the lifestyle and culture of both countries to foster military cooperation.

The Exercise will provide an opportunity to both the contingents to strengthen their bond and share best practices. It will also act as a platform to achieve shared security objectives and foster bilateral relations between two friendly nations.