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Context

• The joint military exercise AUSTRAHIND-23 involves the participation of the Indian Armed Forces contingent, comprising 81 personnel, who departed for Australia to take part in this collaborative training program.
• Scheduled from 22nd November to 06th December 2023 in Perth, Australia.

Details

Participants

• Indian Contingent: Consists of personnel from a Battalion of the GORKHA Rifles, Indian Navy, and from the Indian Air Force.
• Australian Contingent: Comprises personnel from the 13th Brigade of the Australian Army, along with from the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force.

Exercise Details

• Purpose: Aimed at fostering collaborative partnerships, sharing best practices, and enhancing interoperability between the Indian and Australian Armed Forces.
• Training Focus: Focuses on multi-domain operations in urban and semi-urban terrains, following Chapter VII of the United Nations regarding peacekeeping operations.
• Objectives: Promote exchange of tactical ideas, rehearse procedures for tactical operations, including sniper firing, surveillance, communication, and casualty management. Emphasizes tactical actions at the Company/Battalion level.
• Previous Edition: The first edition of Exercise AUSTRAHIND was held in Mahajan, Rajasthan, in 2022.

Goals and Outcomes

• Enhanced Cooperation: Aims to strengthen defense cooperation and understanding between the Indian and Australian militaries.
• Strategic Importance: Signifies the importance of such joint exercises in promoting shared learning, understanding, and professional engagement between the armed forces of friendly nations.
• Operational Relevance: Seeks to improve the capabilities of both contingents, ensuring readiness and effectiveness in various operational scenarios.

Other India-Australia Exercises

• Exercise Pitch Black:
  • Nature: Biennial multilateral air combat exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) since 1981.
  • Participation: The Indian Air Force participated for the first time in 2018.
• AUSINDEX:
  • Nature: Biennial bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
  • Initiation: The first edition of the exercise took place in 2015.

Conclusion

Exercise AUSTRAHIND-23 stands as a testament to the commitment of India and Australia in strengthening bilateral defense ties through joint training, fostering mutual trust, and enhancing operational capabilities for future collaborative endeavors.

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