Military Exercises — Set 5

Correct Answer: C. Oman

Exercise Al Nagah is a joint army exercise between India and Oman. It focuses on counter-terrorism operations in desert and mountainous terrain. Oman is one of India's most important defence partners in the Gulf region, and India has access arrangements for its military at Oman's Duqm port.

Correct Answer: B. Australia

Exercise Austra Hind is a joint army exercise between India and Australia. It focuses on counter-terrorism in jungle and semi-jungle terrain under a UN mandate. The exercise was instituted to supplement AUSINDEX (naval) and reflect the growing comprehensive defence partnership between India and Australia.

Correct Answer: B. Bongosagar

Exercise Bongosagar is the bilateral naval exercise between India and Bangladesh. It was first conducted in 2019 and focuses on surface warfare, anti-piracy, and maritime domain awareness in the Bay of Bengal. Sampriti is the India-Bangladesh army exercise, while Bongosagar is specifically the naval exercise.

Correct Answer: C. France

Exercise Tarkash is a joint special forces exercise between Indian Army Special Forces (Para SF) and French Special Operations Forces. It focuses on counter-terrorism and joint special operations. This exercise complements the broader India-France Shakti (army) and Garuda (air force) exercises.

Correct Answer: B. JIMEX

Exercise JIMEX (Japan-India Maritime Exercise) is a bilateral naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). It has been conducted since 2012 and focuses on anti-submarine warfare and maritime domain awareness. JIMEX complements the trilateral Malabar exercise in the India-Japan naval cooperation framework.

Correct Answer: B. Nepal

Exercise Shakti Darpan is a field training exercise between India and Nepal focused on disaster management and humanitarian assistance. Nepal and India share very close military ties — Gorkha soldiers serve in the Indian Army, and the two countries have a deep defence relationship including regular training exchanges and joint exercises. Regular military exercises with friendly nations improve tactical skills and readiness for joint operations.

Correct Answer: B. Anti-submarine warfare and carrier ops

Exercise Malabar focuses primarily on anti-submarine warfare (ASW), carrier strike group operations, and maritime domain awareness. The exercise involves aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates, submarines, and maritime patrol aircraft from the three participating navies. ASW is particularly important given the growing undersea activity in the Indo-Pacific.

Correct Answer: B. SCO

Exercise Tsentr (Centre) is a large-scale military exercise conducted under the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) framework. India participates in Tsentr alongside Russia, China, Pakistan, and other SCO members. The exercise focuses on conventional military operations and reflects the complex multilateral security architecture in the Eurasian region.

Correct Answer: D. Every two years

Exercise Shakti between India and France is a biennial (every two years) exercise held alternately in India and France. The odd-year editions are typically held in India, while even-year editions are in France. This biennial format is common for many of India's bilateral exercises with European partners.

Correct Answer: C. Oman

Exercise Naseem Al Bahr (meaning 'Sea Breeze' in Arabic) is a bilateral naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman. It has been conducted since 1993, making it one of India's oldest bilateral naval exercises. The exercise focuses on maritime security, search and rescue, and anti-piracy in the Arabian Sea.