India, US begin 16th edition of Special Forces drill ‘Vajra Prahar’ in Himachal
The 16th edition of the India–US Joint Special Forces Exercise Vajra Prahar will be conducted at the Special Forces Training School in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh, from February 24 to March 16, the Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday.
A contingent of the US Army has arrived in India to participate in the bilateral exercise, which is aimed at enhancing interoperability and cooperation between the Special Forces of the two countries. The previous edition of the exercise was held at the Orchard Combat Training Centre in Idaho, United States, in November 2024.
The Indian Army will be represented by 45 personnel drawn from its Special Forces units, while the United States will field 12 personnel from the Green Berets of the US Special Forces, the defence ministry said.
According to the ministry, the objective of the exercise is to strengthen joint operational capabilities and promote mutual understanding through the exchange of special operations tactics, techniques and procedures. The training is specifically designed to enhance combined capabilities for conducting Special Forces operations in mountainous terrain.
The exercise will involve intensive physical conditioning, joint mission planning and the execution of tactical drills under simulated operational conditions. Both sides will share best practices and operational experiences, particularly in areas such as joint mission planning and special operations strategy, the ministry said.
The exercise is expected to deepen professional camaraderie, mutual trust and operational synergy between the Special Forces of India and the United States, further reinforcing the expanding defence partnership between the two nations, the defence ministry added.
