14th Yudh Abhyas Exercise 2018 will be conducted in the foothills of Himalayas at Chaubattia in Uttarakhand from September 16 to September 29. Over 350 Army personnel will participate from both the sides

New Delhi: Over 350 US Army personnel and the same number of soldiers from the Indian Army will participate in the 14th Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2018. The annual exercise which was conducted at Joint Base Lewis McChord in Washington last year highlights growing defence ties between India and the US. Yudh Abhyas exercises, which started in 2004 under US' Pacific Partnership Program, are meant to increase interoperability between the armies of the two nations.

The exercises will be conducted in the foothills of Himalayas at Chaubattia in Uttarakhand from September 16 to September 29. The joint exercise During the exercise the two sides will get familiar with each other’s organisational structure, weapons, equipment, confidence training and tactical drills. 15 Garhwal Rifles will participate from the Indian side.

US Army contingent yesterday arrived at Chaubattia in Uttarakhand to take part in the two-week long Combined Training Exercise.

Over the years the two countries have decided to progressively increase the scope and content of this joint exercise. Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2018 will witness a Division Headquarter based Command Post Exercise, an Infantry Battalion carrying out Field Training Exercise and discussions on issues of mutual interest by experts of both countries.

The defence and security cooperation between India and US have constantly grown in recent years with the two sides signing the crucial Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) pact allowing technology transfer from US to India. The two sides will also conduct a tri-Service amphibious exercise off the eastern coast of India in 2019.

In July, US has granted India Strategic Trade Authorisation-1 (STA-1) status making it the first South East Asian country outside the NATO.