Ajeya Warrior drill ends as India, UK deepen defence partnership

A joint training exercise between Indian and British troops concluded on Sunday, with this year’s edition centred on peace-enforcement operations in a counter-terrorism environment, officials said.

This was the eighth edition of the biennial Army exercise Ajeya Warrior.

“The A (AMBOOR) Company 2nd Battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles of the British Army, and the 21st Sikh Regiment of the Indian Army have been undertaking complex training at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan since the start of the exercise on November 17,” the British High Commission said in a statement.

The exercise continued the trend of increasing complexity and interoperability, focusing on peace-enforcing operations under Chapter 7 of the United Nations Charter. It involved simulated missions in multi-domain urban and semi-urban environments.

During the joint training, the two armies shared standard operating procedures and tactics across counter-improvised explosive device operations, small uncrewed aircraft system deployment, company-level skills and drills, urban warfare training and support-weapon employment, the statement said.

The collaboration culminated in a battle-group-level final training segment, where both forces operated under an integrated command structure, exchanging best practices and gaining operational experience.

Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, said, “Defence and security form a crucial pillar of UK-India Vision 2035.”
“Exercise Ajeya Warrior is a demonstration of the UK’s deepening defence ties with India as we deliver this shared vision over the next decade. Beyond military cooperation, it underscores our shared commitment to peace, stability and a rules-based international order,” she was quoted as saying.

Both contingents also participated in fitness and recreational activities, team sports and informal cultural exchanges, aimed at strengthening camaraderie and mutual understanding.