The exercise will involve exchanges and practices on a wide spectrum of combat skills

The 18th edition of Indo - US joint training exercise 'Yudh Abhyas 2022' will be conducted in Auli, Uttarakhand this month.

The joint exercise will focus on the employment of an Infantry Battalion Group in Peace Keeping & Disaster Relief operations under the United Nations mandate.

Exercise Yudh Abhyas is conducted annually between India and USA with the aim of exchanging best practices, Tactics, Techniques and Procedures between the Armies of the two nations. The previous edition of the exercise was conducted at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, Alaska (USA) in October 2021.

US Army soldiers of 2nd Brigade of the 11th Airborne Division and Indian Army soldiers from the Assam Regiment will be participating in the exercise, India's Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday.

The training schedule focuses on employment of an integrated battle group under Chapter VII of the UN Mandate. "The schedule will include all operations related to peace keeping & peace enforcement. The troops from both nations will work together to achieve common objectives," the Ministry of Defence said.

The joint exercise will also focus on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations. Troops from both nations will practice launching of swift & coordinated relief efforts in the wake of any natural calamity.

A Command Post Exercise and Expert Academic Discussions (EAD) on carefully selected topics will be carried out in order to derive full benefit from the professional skills & experiences of both the armies.

The scope of the Field Training Exercise includes validation of integrated battle groups, force multipliers, establishment and functioning of surveillance grids, validation of operational logistics, mountain warfare skills, casualty evacuation and combat medical aid in adverse terrain and climatic conditions.

The exercise will involve exchanges and practices on a wide spectrum of combat skills including combat engineering, employment of UAS/Counter UAS techniques and information operations.

In August, US and Indian special forces had participated in the "Vajra Prahar" exercise at Bakloh in Himachal Pradesh. These special forces undertake covert, specialised operations including counterterrorism.