Exercise Bright Star 2025: Over 700 Soldiers Participating In Tri-Service Multilateral Drills In Egypt
First conducted in 1980, Bright Star is one of the largest tri-service multilateral exercises (Image courtesy: AI pic)
Over 700 Indian defence personnel are taking part in Egypt’s biennial multilateral exercise ‘Exercise Bright Star’, which the north African country has been organizing with the United States for over four decades, since 1980. This is also one of the largest Tri-Service multilateral exercises in the region.
The Ministry of Defence on Wednesday (August 27) informed that more than 700 personnel from the Armed Forces & Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff are partaking in the Multilateral Exercise from August 28 to September 10. The upcoming edition will feature a comprehensive spectrum of military activities.
What military activities will soldiers taking part in Exercise Bright Star 2025?
Over a period of nearly two weeks, the Indian defence personnel will be engaging in a range of activities during the tri-service multilateral exercises. These include live firing by the three services showcasing the operational capabilities of the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.
Further, the soldiers will command post exercise to enhance joint planning, decision-making and operational coordination; also engage in short training exercises by all three services focusing on varied aspects of modern warfare. In addition to this, the defence forces will also participate in subject matter expert interactions on multiple domains of contemporary military operations.
The defence minister underlined that the participation of the Indian Armed Forces in this exercise underscores India’s commitment to regional peace, stability, and security while enhancing Jointness, interoperability and cooperation with friendly foreign countries.
What is Exercise Bright Star?
First launched in 1980 as a bilateral US–Egypt drill, Bright Star has since developed into a multinational exercise aimed at bolstering regional security, strengthening military cooperation, and improving interoperability among partner forces.
This year’s exercise is the 19th edition and will involve 43 countries, with 13 participating directly through more than 7,900 soldiers and 30 others joining as observers. The drills are being held on Egyptian soil and is expected to be one of the largest military drills in the Middle East.
It is also one of the longest-running exercises in the US Central Command’s area of responsibility. The exercise is held biennially, with the last edition having taken place in 2023, which witnessed the participation of a host of nations including India along with troops.
