Archive · 18 Sep 2026
India’s Five Recent Joint Military Exercises and Defence Growth
India is taking part in several military exercises with other countries.
Yudh Abhyas is a practice exercise with the United States focused on fighting in difficult mountain areas.
Soldiers are also training with drones, autonomous systems and modern weapons.
IMBAX helps Indian and Myanmar soldiers practice working together under a United Nations mandate.
LAMITIYE is a training exercise with Seychelles and included the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force for the first time.
Sea Dragon helps countries practice finding and responding to submarines.
MILAN is a large naval exercise involving 75 countries.
India also reported record defence production and exports in 2025–26.
Yudh Abhyas 2026, the 22nd India–United States Army exercise, is underway at Auli and Bikaner with 600 personnel from each side.
The exercise focuses on mountain operations, Integrated Battle Groups, infantry tactics, drones, autonomous systems and long-range precision fires.
IMBAX 2026, the fifth India–Myanmar Army exercise, is being held in Umroi, Meghalaya, from September 15 to 28.
LAMITIYE 2026 was the first tri-services edition of the India–Seychelles exercise, while Sea Dragon and MILAN involved wider maritime cooperation.
India’s defence production reached ₹1.78 lakh crore and exports reached ₹38,424 crore in the 2025–26 financial year, according to the Ministry of Defence.
- Who
- The Indian Armed Forces and partner forces from the United States, Myanmar, Seychelles, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, along with participants in MILAN.
- What
- India participated in or hosted five recent joint military exercises: Yudh Abhyas, IMBAX, LAMITIYE, Sea Dragon and MILAN.
- When
- The exercises described took place or began in 2026; Yudh Abhyas and IMBAX opened on September 15, while LAMITIYE ran from March 9 to 20.
- Where
- The exercises were held at locations in India, Seychelles and Guam, including Auli, Bikaner, Umroi, the Seychelles Defence Academy, Andersen Air Force Base and waters off Visakhapatnam.
- Why
- They were intended to improve interoperability, operational cooperation, maritime security capabilities, military coordination and responses to shared threats.
- Yudh Abhyas edition
- 22nd edition
- Yudh Abhyas personnel
- 600 personnel from each country
- IMBAX dates
- September 15–28, 2026
- LAMITIYE distinction
- First India–Seychelles tri-services edition
- MILAN participation
- 75 countries, 42 ships and submarines, and 29 aircraft
- Defence production
- ₹1.78 lakh crore in FY 2025–26
- Defence exports
- ₹38,424 crore in FY 2025–26