Simulated counter-terrorism ops to be conducted during India-Egypt drill

The third edition of the India-Egypt Joint Special Forces Exercise ‘Cyclone-III’ will culminate in an intense 48-hour validation phase, during which both contingents will conduct simulated counter-terrorism (CT) operations.

This final phase is designed to rigorously assess the troops’ ability to plan and execute tactical manoeuvres under high-pressure conditions. Soldiers will engage in joint tactical drills, neutralise simulated threats and apply their acquired skills in a realistic operational setting.

The exercise is taking place at a field firing range near National Highway 62 and is set to conclude on February 23 after a 14-day training period. This high-intensity drill underscores the strong strategic partnership between India and Egypt, reinforcing military cooperation and enhancing interoperability between their elite forces.

With focus on “contingents train hard”, participating troops are undergoing rigorous combat conditioning and tactical training to strengthen joint operational capabilities. The primary objective is to foster interoperability, facilitate the exchange of best practices and deepen mutual understanding of tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) in special forces operations.

A key component of the exercise is joint training on close-quarter battle (CQB) drills, which is particularly crucial for enhancing troops’ ability to engage adversaries in confined and urban environments with minimal reaction time.