India Joins Russia-Led Zapad 2025 Military Drills: Defence Update for NDA Exam Preparation (September 17, 2025)
Latest Defence News
India has made headlines by participating in the Zapad 2025 military exercise, a major joint drill led by Russia and Belarus that concluded on September 16, 2025. This multinational exercise brought together around 100,000 troops from multiple countries, including India, which deployed a 65-member contingent.
The Indian Armed Forces contingent comprised 57 personnel from the Indian Army, 7 from the Indian Air Force, and 1 from the Indian Navy. The Indian Army group was proudly led by a battalion of the renowned Kumaon Regiment, along with troops from other arms and services.
The five-day exercise took place at the Mulino Training Ground in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, and focused on enhancing military cooperation, improving interoperability, and providing a platform for participating armies to exchange tactics in conventional warfare and counter-terrorism operations. The massive drill featured 333 aircraft, 247 naval vessels including submarines, nuclear-capable bombers, warships, and heavy artillery.
This participation comes at a time when India is balancing its historically strong ties with Russia while managing strained relations with the United States over trade tariffs and India’s continued purchases of Russian oil.
NDA Exam Relevance
This significant military exercise is highly relevant for NDA aspirants as it demonstrates India’s strategic defense partnerships and military diplomacy. For your current affairs preparation, remember that such multinational exercises showcase India’s commitment to maintaining diverse defense relationships while pursuing its national interests.
This topic is particularly important for SSB interviews where you might be asked about India’s foreign policy, defense cooperation, and strategic partnerships. Understanding India’s balanced approach to international relations, especially with traditional allies like Russia while navigating modern geopolitical challenges, shows comprehensive knowledge of contemporary defense affairs.
Practice Questions
Question 1: India’s participation in Zapad 2025 military exercise was led by which regiment?
a) Rajput Regiment
b) Kumaon Regiment
c) Gorkha Regiment
d) Maratha Regiment
Question 2: How many Indian Armed Forces personnel participated in the Zapad 2025 exercise?
a) 57 personnel
b) 65 personnel
c) 75 personnel
d) 100 personnel
Answer Key: 1-b, 2-b
Stay updated with such defense developments as they form the backbone of NDA preparation. At Ground Zero Defence Academy, we ensure our NDA aspirants in Dehradun receive comprehensive coverage of current affairs that directly impact defense exams. Remember, consistent awareness of military exercises, defense partnerships, and strategic developments is key to cracking the NDA exam successfully!