Yudh Abhyas 2016
Indian and US soldiers relax during 12th edition of Indo-US joint military exercises 2016.Twitter/SpokespersonMoD

Yudh Abhyas 2016, the joint military exercises between the armed forces of India and US is progressing well. The exercises are being held at Chaubattia Military Station, Ranikhet, Uttarakhand.

The exercises started on 25 September and will be getting complex as they progress further. These exercises are expected to be completed on on 27 September. Totally there are 400 soldiers participating in this exercise.

These exercises are aimed at boosting cooperation and interoperability. The aim of the exercise is to build tactical skills and relationships expected to help during a combined deployment of both the armed forces in an United Nations peacekeeping operation.

Both the armed forces participated in a rapple training exercise, improvised explosive device detection course, multiple field trauma aid techniques, cordon and search demonstration, raid, cordon and search operations, indoor reflex shooting and other complex exercises.

Meanwhile, India, US plan to "increase the scope and complexity" of bilateral military exercise and engagement, the Times of India quoted defence ministry sources as saying. Further, the recent signing of Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) is expected to "boost" the interoperability between the two countries.

The US side is represented by Company of 5th Infantry Battalion, 20 Infantry Regiment, 2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7 Infantry Division, US Army while the Indian side was represented by an Infantry Battalion of 12 Madras Regiment..

This is the 12th edition of Yudh Abhyas 2016.