Indian soldiers and British Gurkhas train together in Ajeya Warrior exercise to fight terrorism and insurgency.

UK-India relationships have been further strengthened through a demanding high-tempo exercise that has tackled counter-terrorism and insurgency operations. The two-week joint military exercise known as Ajeya Warrior was conducted across the training areas of Wiltshire, on private land and in subterranean mines. The British army reports.
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Indian soldiers from 6 BIHAR train with the 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles in a Rapid Air Landing from an Airbus A400M of the Royal Air Force (Picture source: British Army)

A 120-strong infantry company of Indian soldiers from the 6th Battalion Bihar Regiment (6 BIHAR) trained with the 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles (2 RGR). 2 RGR is part of the UK’S Global Response Force (GRF) with 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team (16 Air Asslt BCT) and a newly established Combat Aviation BCT - with the versatility and robustness to deliver humanitarian to warfighting crisis response.

Brigadier Nick Cowley, Commander 16 Air Asslt BCT, said: “As the Army’s high readiness brigade, we are constantly ready to go on high-intensity operations, so we train incredibly hard for when it’s required of us. On this particular exercise, we’ve been training two of our battle groups and we’ve also been training with our Indian brothers and that’s been a phenomenal addition to our training. What’s been impressive is how quickly the tactical relationship has built. Even on the first day of the exercise I watched the Indian company do a helicopter assault into a complex urban attack and it was like they’d been part of the British battlegroup for months. I think the spirit was the same, the commitment, the fitness, the low-level skills, and drills and importantly the will to win. Those shared values and shared soldiering traits have been critical.’’

For the Indian Army, there was a greater complexity than on previous Ajeya Warriors’ but also a modernisation journey for both armies. They shared their diverse experiences and familiarised themselves with the other’s weaponry, procedures, strategies, and emerging military technology.

“This is the first time I’ve worked with the Indian Army,” said Major Tim Cummings, Officer Commanding of B Company, 2 RGR. “I didn’t know what to expect and it’s been a real joy. My company happened to be working alongside 6 BIHAR Company, so we’ve developed quite a good friendship. There are lots of similarities in doctrine and tactics that smooth the process of merging. Our Gurkha soldiers, most speak Hindi, so it eases the relationship and the professionalism, and the drive is really good to experience.’’

A 120-strong infantry company of Indian soldiers from the 6th Battalion Bihar Regiment (6 BIHAR) trained with the 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles (2 RGR) (Picture source: British Army)

The long-standing relationship between the two countries has seen the bi-annual exercise in its seventh iteration, the last one took place in Chaubatia, northern India in 2021.

Colonel Neelandra Singh Rathore, Commanding Officer 6 BIHAR, said: “The exercise has achieved the desired level of outcomes and has set new standards of a joint venture and interoperability between both armies. Staying together, fighting together has developed a great level of comradery.”

Colonel Neelandra Singh Rathore, Commanding Officer 6 BIHAR, said: “The exercise has achieved the desired level of outcomes and has set new standards of a joint venture and interoperability between both armies. Staying together, fighting together has developed a great level of comradery.” (Picture source: British Army)

Defense News May 2023