'Exercise Zapad 2025': India, Russia begin high-intensity wargame to hone combat skills

India and Russia have began their multilateral joint military exercise—'Exercise Zapad'—, which seeks to improve interoperability and providing a platform to exchange tactics, techniques and procedures in the domains of conventional warfare and counter-terrorism operations, on Wednesday.

 

The execise will continue till Tuesday.

 

A contingent of the Indian armed forces, comprising 65 personnel departed on Tuesday for Russia to participate in the exercise to be held at Mulino Training Ground, Nizhniy, according to the Indian defence ministry. The contingent includes 57 Indian Army personnel along with seven personnel from the Indian Air Force and one from the Indian Navy.

 

The Indian Army contingent is being led by a battalion of the Kumaon Regiment along with troops from other arms and services.

 

According to the defence ministry the multilateral exercise is aimed at "enhancing military cooperation, improving interoperability, and providing a platform for participating armies to exchange tactics, techniques and procedures in the domains of conventional warfare and counter-terrorism operations."

 

It will focus on joint company-level operations in open and plain terrain, with troops undertaking missions ranging from joint planning, tactical drills, and special arms skills, officials said.

 

The exercise will offer a valuable opportunity to hone joint operational capabilities, integrate emerging technologies, and operate in a multinational combat environment, they said.

 

Participation in 'Exercise Zapad 2025' will further strengthen defence cooperation and foster camaraderie between India and Russia, thereby reinforcing the spirit of collaboration and mutual trust, the defence ministry statement said.

Defence