Exercise ZAPAD 2021

• The multinational Exercise ZAPAD 2021 is being held at Nizhniy, Russia from September 3 to 16, 2021.
• It is one of the theatre-level exercises of the Russian armed forces.
• The exercise ZAPAD will focus primarily on operations against terrorists.

Key points:

• Exercise ZAPAD 2021 is part of the annual series of 4 large-scale exercises that form part of the Russian Armed Forces' annual training cycle.
• The other three of this series are Vostok (East), Zapad (West), TSENTR (Centre) and Kavkas (South).
• ZAPAD is the Western Russian operational strategic command.
• A 200 personnel contingent of the Indian Army is participating in the exercise.
• The NAGA Battalion group of the Indian Army which is participating in the exercise will feature an all Arms combined task force.
• 17 countries have been invited by Russia for the ZAPAD exercise.
• 9 countries are participating -- Mongolia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, Russia, India, and Belarus.
• Other 8 countries are Observers -- Pakistan, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Uzbekistan, and Sri Lanka.
• The main aim of the exercise is to enhance military and strategic ties amongst the participating nations.