The 81-member Indian Armed Forces delegation set off for Australia today to participate in the second edition of Joint Military Exercise AUSTRAHIND-23, scheduled to take place in Perth from November 22nd to December 6th, 2023.
The Indian contingent includes 60 personnel from a GORKHA Rifles Battalion of the Indian Army, one officer from the Indian Navy, and 20 personnel from the Indian Air Force. On the other side, the Australian Army’s 60-member contingent hails from the 13th Brigade, while the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force contribute 20 members each.
AUSTRAHIND, inaugurated in 2022 with its inaugural edition in Mahajan, Rajasthan, is slated to be an annual bilateral training event, alternating between India and Australia.
The exercise aims to bolster collaborative partnerships and knowledge exchange between the participating forces. It emphasizes enhancing interoperability during multi-domain operations in Urban and Semi-Urban terrain, aligning with Chapter VII of the United Nations regarding peacekeeping operations.
This joint exercise will facilitate the exchange of strategic ideas and enable joint rehearsals for tactical operations, including sniper firing, coordinated use of surveillance and communication equipment, ensuring a high level of situational awareness. The training curriculum encompasses casualty management, evacuation procedures, and tactical maneuvers at Company/Battalion levels.
Additionally, the exercise is envisioned to foster mutual understanding between the Indian and Australian militaries, thereby fortifying the defense cooperation and camaraderie between the two friendly nations.