India has once again reinforced its commitment to international military cooperation. On September 9, 2025, an Indian Armed Forces contingent of 65 personnel departed for the Mulino Training Ground in Nizhniy, Russia, to participate in ZAPAD 2025, a large-scale multilateral joint military exercise running from September 10 to 16.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the exercise is designed to boost military cooperation, enhance interoperability, and create a platform for participating nations to exchange best practices in conventional warfare and counter-terrorism operations.
A Diverse and Capable Contingent
The Indian delegation includes 57 Army soldiers, seven Air Force personnel, and one naval representative. The Army contingent is spearheaded by a battalion of the KUMAON Regiment, supported by troops from various other arms and services, showcasing India’s multi-domain approach to security cooperation.
Why ZAPAD 2025 Matters
ZAPAD – which means “West” in Russian – is one of the largest multinational military exercises hosted by Russia. This year’s edition brings together armed forces from several partner nations, reflecting a growing emphasis on joint planning, coordination and operational readiness in the face of evolving global security challenges.
For India, the exercise represents a significant opportunity to:
●Strengthen military-to-military ties with Russia and other participating nations
●Refine counter-terrorism tactics and conventional combat strategies
●Test interoperability across land, air and naval domains
Part of India’s Global Military Engagements
Participation in ZAPAD 2025 is consistent with India’s wider policy of engaging in multilateral military drills to hone its forces’ skills in diverse combat environments. It also underscores the country’s strategic focus on readiness, jointness, and regional stability.