Vajra Prahar 2023: Vajra Prahar is a joint military exercise between the special forces of India and the United States (US). The latest edition of this exercise is Vajra Prahar XIV which took place in November 2023 at Umroi, Meghalaya.
Vajra Prahar XIII took place in August 2022 in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh while Vajra Prahar XII took place in Washington (USA) in October 2021.
Segments of Joint Military Exercises form an important part of current affairs for the IAS Exam. This article will mention the relevant facts about Vajra Prahar for UPSC preparation.
Exercise Vajra Prahar 2023
Download PDF Here
Candidates can read about the similar Joint Military Exercises between the Indian Army and other nations, from the links mentioned in the table below:
| Yudh Abhyas | Maitree | Nomadic Elephant |
| Mitra Shakti | Surya Kiran | Sampriti |
| Candidates preparing for Civil Services Examination are advised to check the following links to make their preparation easier: |
Facts about Vajra Prahar Exercise
The table below mentions the important details about Exercise Vajra Prahar from UPSC Prelims perspectives:
| Vajra Prahar – Facts for UPSC |
| It is a bilateral exercise between the special forces of India and the US |
| The military forces that participate in Vajra Prahar are:
The US – The Special Forces and India – The Southern Command of Indian Armed Forces |
| The Indian Army contingent is led by Special Forces personnel from the Eastern Command in the 14th edition (2023) |
| Operational tactics and Joint Mission Planning take place in Vajra Prahar |
The aim of Vajra Prahar is to enhance military cooperation between the two countries and also to capitalise on the rich repository of experiences of each other armies
|
| The exercise Vajra Prahar takes place generally alternately between the two countries – India and the US |
| The joint military exercise Vajra Prahar between India and the US started in 2010.
Note: Between 2012 and 2015, the exercise Vajra Prahar did not take place. In 2020, Vajra Prahar did not take place. |
Vajra Prahar – What are Special Forces?
The following points should be noted for Special Forces in India:
| Special Forces |
| The Indian Special Forces are trained for special operations |
In the Indian military, there are three branches – Army, Navy and Air Force. These units have their own special forces –
|
| Armed Forces Special Operations Division is a tri-service command of the Indian Armed Forces which deputes small units of special forces of the three units of military |
| Special Group comes under the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) as the latter’s Special Forces |
| Vajra Prahar is an exercise involving Indian Army special forces |
| Para Special Force of the Indian Army was created in 1966 |
Learn about internal security forces in India in the linked article.
Vajra Prahar List
The table below mentions the year and the location of the Vajra Prahar Exercises:
| Vajra Prahar Exercise | Year | Location |
| Vajra Prahar-I | 2010 | India |
| Vajra Prahar-II | 2011 | US |
| Vajra Prahar-III | 2012 | Did not take place |
| Vajra Prahar-IV | 2013 | Did not take place |
| Vajra Prahar-V | 2014 | Did not take place |
| Vajra Prahar-VI | 2015 | Did not take place |
| Vajra Prahar-VII | 2016 | India |
| Vajra Prahar-VIII | 2017 | US |
| Vajra Prahar-IX | 2018 | India |
| Vajra Prahar-X | 2019 | US (Seattle) |
| Vajra Prahar-XII | 2021 | US (Washington) |
| Vajra Prahar-XIII | 2022 | Bakloh (Himachal Pradesh) |
| Vajra Prahar-XIV | 2023 | Umroi (Meghalaya) |
Check out all the important joint military exercises of India in the linked article.
UPSC Preparation:
| Static GK | Daily News Analysis of The Hindu newspaper | Gist of Yojana |
| Gist of Kurukshetra | Best of PIB for UPSC | Current Affairs Quiz |
Comments