Multilateral and Bilateral Defence Exercises (Malabar, Yudh Abhyas, Tarang Shakti, Garuda Shakti)
Current Affairs & Government Schemes › Defence and Security Current Affairs · Topic 21.11
Defence exercises are planned joint drills in which the Indian armed forces train with foreign forces to build trust and the ability to work together. Four are often asked. Malabar is a naval exercise that began in 1992 between India and the United States, was joined by Japan in 2015 and Australia in 2020, and its 2025 edition was held at Guam from 10 to 18 November. Yudh Abhyas is the India-US army exercise, with the 21st edition in Alaska from 1 to 14 September 2025. Tarang Shakti is the Indian Air Force multinational air exercise, held at Jodhpur from 26 September to 12 October 2026. Garuda Shakti is the India-Indonesia special forces exercise.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Current Affairs & Government Schemes · Defence and Security Current Affairs
At a Glance
- Malabar Navy, India, US, Japan, Australia, 2025 at Guam
- Yudh Abhyas Army, India and US, 2025 at Fort Wainwright, Alaska
- Tarang Shakti Air Force, multinational, 2026 at Jodhpur
- Garuda Shakti Special forces, India and Indonesia, 11th edition in 2026
- Purpose Interoperability and trust
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Current Affairs and Government Schemes: Defence and Security Current Affairs
Where Does It Fit?
This topic turns from equipment to people and partners. Weapons are tested in exercises and, since the exercises are held with Quad and other partners, they also show the direction of India’s strategic ties. Previous topic: Tejas Kaveri failed)…">Light Combat Aircraft and Other Indigenous Defence Platforms. Next topic: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Theatre Command Restructuring.
What Are the Main Exercises and Their Latest Editions?
| Exercise | Key facts |
|---|---|
| Malabar | Naval exercise. Began in 1992 as India and the United States, Japan joined in 2015 and Australia in 2020. The 29th edition was at Guam from 10 to 18 November 2025, with INS Sahyadri among the ships. The 2024 edition was at Visakhapatnam |
| Yudh Abhyas | India-US Army exercise, held in alternate years in each country. The 21st edition was at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, from 1 to 14 September 2025, with about 450 personnel, and it covered mountain warfare, drones, counter-drone work and electronic warfare |
| Tarang Shakti | Multinational air exercise of the Indian Air Force. The first edition was in 2024. The 2026 edition ran from 26 September to 12 October 2026 at Jodhpur and nearby bases with the theme Power in Partnership, with eight foreign air forces flying and 32 nations observing |
| Garuda Shakti | Joint special forces exercise of India and Indonesia, held alternately in each country. The 10th edition was at Bakloh in December 2025 and the 11th began in Indonesia in late October 2026, as reported |
What Other Exercises and Concepts Should You Know?
- Garuda: an air exercise of India and France, different from Garuda Shakti, which is a special forces exercise with Indonesia
- Varuna: an India and France naval exercise, held since 2001
- Nomadic Elephant: an India and Mongolia army exercise
- Ekuverin and Mitra Shakti: army exercises with the Maldives and Sri Lanka respectively
- Milan: a multilateral naval gathering hosted by India at Visakhapatnam, a larger event than Malabar in participant numbers
What Else Should You Remember?
- Quad: Malabar is linked to the Quad grouping of India, Australia, Japan and the United States, though the grouping is not a military alliance
- Interoperability: every joint exercise aligns procedures, communications and tactics, so that forces can act together in relief or combat
- Humanitarian use: many exercises include disaster relief and counter-terror drills as well as combat training
- Alternate hosting: most bilateral exercises alternate between the two countries, so the host in the latest edition tells you where the next one is likely to be
- Technology: recent editions have added drone and counter-drone drills, cyber and space elements, as reported
- Link to platforms: exercises are a stage for equipment such as the Tejas and ships in Tejas Light Combat Aircraft and Other Indigenous Defence Platforms and Indigenous Aircraft Carriers and Naval Modernisation (INS Vikrant, INS Vikramaditya)
- Link to command: joint training supports the integration planned in Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Theatre Command Restructuring
- Criticism: exercises do not create alliances, and some partners expect more concrete deals on technology and basing
- China factor: the Indo-Pacific context and border tensions shape the choice of partners, and the India-China Hand-in-Hand army exercise has been inactive for years, as reported
Why Does It Matter for the Exam?
- Match: exercise with partner country and service
- Latest host: Guam for Malabar 2025, Alaska for Yudh Abhyas 2025, Jodhpur for Tarang Shakti 2026
- Members: India, the United States, Japan and Australia in Malabar
- Names that confuse: Garuda and Garuda Shakti, Varuna and Dharma Guardian
- Common errors: placing Malabar with an army or air partner, or calling Yudh Abhyas a naval exercise
As an analytical point, exercises build habits of cooperation, but their strategic worth is in their regularity and in the quality of the partners. They support a stable balance in the Indo-Pacific without binding India to an alliance.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Match Name, service, partner
- Latest Recent hosts and dates
- Strategy Quad and Indo-Pacific
What Came Next?
The next topic covers the top military post and the reform of commands. Next topic: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Theatre Command Restructuring.
Key People and Terms
- Interoperability Ability to operate together
- Quad India, US, Japan and Australia grouping
- Harbour phase Port-based part of a naval drill
- Sea phase At-sea part of a naval drill
- Observer Country watching but not flying or sailing
- Special forces Elite units for covert missions
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Malabar: Navy; members India, US, Japan, Australia; 2025 at Guam.
- Yudh Abhyas: Army with the US; 2025 at Alaska.
- Tarang Shakti: Air Force; 2026 at Jodhpur.
- Garuda Shakti: special forces with Indonesia.
- Malabar began in 1992.
Do Not Confuse With
- Garuda and Garuda Shakti India-France air exercise versus India-Indonesia special forces exercise
- Malabar and Milan Quad-linked naval drill versus multilateral naval gathering
- Yudh Abhyas and Vajra Prahar India-US Army exercise versus India-US special forces exercise
Memory Hook
Malabar sails, Yudh Abhyas marches, Tarang flies, Garuda Shakti strikes.
Mains Angle
Questions ask about defence diplomacy. These points give a balanced frame.
- Benefits Trust, skills, signalling
- Limits No treaty obligation
- Way ahead Technology and logistics ties
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Examine the role of joint military exercises in India’s defence diplomacy and Indo-Pacific strategy.”
How to Answer
- Examples Malabar, Yudh Abhyas, Tarang Shakti.
- Benefits Interoperability and trust.
- Limits No alliance.
- Way Deeper industry links.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Malabar exercise?
Malabar is a naval exercise that began in 1992 between India and the United States. Japan joined permanently in 2015 and Australia in 2020, so it now covers all four Quad countries. The 29th edition was held in and around Guam from 10 to 18 November 2025, with a harbour phase and a sea phase.
Where was Yudh Abhyas 2025 held?
The 21st edition of Yudh Abhyas, the India-US Army exercise, was held at Fort Wainwright in Alaska from 1 to 14 September 2025. A battalion of the Madras Regiment took part with the United States 11th Airborne Division, and the drills covered mountain warfare, drones, counter-drone work and electronic warfare.
What is Tarang Shakti 2026?
Tarang Shakti is the Indian Air Force's multinational air exercise. The 2026 edition ran from 26 September to 12 October 2026 at Jodhpur and nearby air bases, with the theme Power in Partnership. Eight foreign air forces flew in it, and 32 other countries sent observers.
What is Garuda Shakti?
Garuda Shakti is a joint special forces exercise between India and Indonesia, held in alternate years in each country. The 10th edition was at Bakloh in Himachal Pradesh in December 2025, and the 11th edition began in Indonesia on 27 October 2026, with the Parachute Regiment Special Forces taking part.
Which exercises are held with France?
India and France hold the Varuna naval exercise, the Garuda air exercise and the Shakti army exercise. Varuna began in 2001 and has become an annual event, while the others alternate between the two countries. Do not confuse Garuda with Garuda Shakti, which is held with Indonesia.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 Malabar is an army exercise between India and the United States.
It is a naval exercise.
2 Australia became a permanent participant in Malabar in 2020.
Japan joined in 2015.
3 Yudh Abhyas is held between India and the United States.
It is an Army exercise.
4 Garuda Shakti is held between India and France.
It is held with Indonesia.
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