Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR 2022

Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR- Relevance for UPSC Exam

GS Paper 3: Security- Challenges to internal security through communication networks; Security challenges and their management in border areas.

Recently, the 13th Edition of India – USA Joint Special Forces Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR 2022 culminated at Bakloh (Himachal Pradesh).

About: Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR 2022 is annual exercise that is hosted alternatively between India and the United States.
- The 12th edition VAJRA PRAHAR exercise was conducted at Joint Base Lewis Mc Chord, Washington (USA) in October 2021.
Focus Area: The 21-day joint training provided an opportunity for the Special Forces from both nations to train in Air Borne Operations, Special Operations and Counter Terrorism operations in a joint environment under United Nations Charter.
VAJRA PRAHAR Phases: The exercise VAJRA PRAHAR 2022 was conducted in two phases-
- First phase involved combat conditioning and tactical level special missions training exercises and
- Second phase included 48 hours of validation of training received by both contingents in the first phase.
Key Activities: Under VAJRA PRAHAR exercise, both contingents undertook joint training, planning and execution of a series of mock operations in simulated conventional and unconventional scenarios in mountainous terrain.
Significance: Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR with the US Special Forces is significant in terms of security challenges faced by both Nations in the backdrop of the current global situation.
- The joint military exercise has further strengthened the traditional bond of friendship between the special forces of both Nations as well as improved bilateral defence cooperation between India and the USA.