Mahajan, Rajasthan: The 3rd edition of Joint Special Forces Exercise CYCLONE between India and Egypt commenced at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan yesterday. The military exercise, scheduled to run from February 10 to 23, 2025, aims to strengthen cooperation, enhance interoperability, and facilitate the exchange of special operations tactics between the two nations.
Exercise CYCLONE is an annual military training initiative conducted alternately in India and Egypt. The previous edition was held in Egypt in January 2024, and this year, India is hosting the joint exercise.
Both sides have deployed 25 personnel each, with the Indian contingent represented by troops from two Special Forces Battalions, while the Egyptian team includes members from the Special Forces Group and Task Force of the Egyptian Special Forces.
The joint drills are designed to enhance combat readiness and tactical coordination. Key aspects of the exercise include:
- Advanced special forces skills training.
- Joint tactical drills for high-intensity operations.
- Counter-terrorism exercises in desert and semi-desert terrain.
- Physical fitness and endurance training to boost operational efficiency.
- Simulation of real-world combat scenarios to improve strategic decision-making.
The exercise will conclude with a 48-hour long validation exercise, where both contingents will rehearse and assess tactical drills in realistic combat environments.
In addition to tactical training, Exercise CYCLONE will feature a display of indigenous military equipment for the Egyptian contingent. The demonstration will provide an overview of India’s growing defence manufacturing sector, fostering potential collaborations in defence technology and procurement.
By sharing best practices in tactics, techniques, and operational procedures, the exercise is expected to deepen the military-to-military relationship between India and Egypt. The joint training will not only bolster combat capabilities but also foster camaraderie and trust between soldiers of both nations.
With increasing global security challenges, such collaborations play a pivotal role in strengthening regional and international counter-terrorism strategies, making Exercise CYCLONE a key initiative in Indo-Egyptian defence cooperation.