Indo-US war game in April

India and the US will hold a joint military exercise in April near California, focusing on counter-terrorism operations.
    
The exercise, Shatrujeet, will come just six months after the two armies conducted their largest joint wargame ever, YudhAbhyas, in Babina in Uttar Pradesh last October.
    
Around 150 to 200 men from the Indian Army will leave for the joint exercise between April 1 and 19 in which simulated terrorism scenarios would be played out and practiced.
    
The two countries have held over 50 joint military exercises in the last seven years, indicating the extent of growth in their military ties.
    
Last October, India had hosted the US troops for YudhAbyas, in which the Americans showcased their Stryker infantry armoured vehicles and Javelin anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) during the exercise, in a bid to convince the Indians of their potential and a possible sale.
    
The US is also eyeing the lucrative defence market and India's armed forces plans to acquire military equipment and weapons worth $50 billion in the next five years.
    
The Americans have sold six C-130J transport aircraft at $962 million for India's special forces in 2007 and eight P-8I maritime patrol aircraft for the Navy at $2.1 billion in 2009.
     
Another deal for 10 C-17 Globemaster-III giant strategic airlift aircraft at a cost of $2.2 billion for the IAF is expected soon.