India, US armies to begin 'Vajra Prahar' drill in Idaho today

NEW DELHI: India and the US on Saturday will kick off their 'Vajra Prahar' exercise between their special forces at the Orchard Combat Training Centre in Idaho to enhance interoperability, jointness and mutual exchange of special operations tactics.

The Indian Army will be represented by Para-SF units in the exercise, which will continue till Nov 22, while the US Army contingent will deploy the Green Berets. "This 15th edition of Vajra Prahar will boost combined capabilities in executing joint special operations in desert and semi-desert environments. The exercise will focus on a high degree of physical fitness, joint planning and tactical drills," an officer said. The drills will include planning and setting up a joint team mission, reconnaissance, use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), execution of special operations, and psychological warfare, among others.

The previous edition of 'Vajra Prahar' was held in Meghalaya last Dec, while the two armies conducted the 'Yudh Abhyas' exercise at Rajasthan in Sept this year.

India and the US have been steadily cranking up the scope, and frequency of their exercises as part of their "strategic partnership and convergence". The Malabar naval exercise with the "Quad" countries of the US, Australia and Japan was also hosted by India in the Bay of Bengal last month. India had last month inked a Rs 28,000-crore ($3.3 billion) contract with the US govt for the acquisition of 31 weaponised MQ-9B 'Predators', along with another Rs 4,350-crore ($520 million) deal with drone-manufacturer General Atomics to set up an MRO facility here.


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