Indian Armed Forces Contingent departs for Australia to Participate in Joint Military Exercise "AustraHind-23"

A contingent from the Indian Armed Forces, comprising 81 personnel, embarked on a journey to Australia on Wednesday to partake in the second iteration of the joint military exercise named "AustraHind-23," as announced by the Ministry of Defence in a recent press release.

Scheduled to unfold in Western Australia Perth, the exercise is set to take place from November 22 to December 6. The Indian Army representation includes 60 personnel from a Gorkha Rifles battalion, alongside one officer from the Indian Navy and 20 personnel from the Indian Air Force.

On the Australian side, the 13th Brigade is contributing 60 personnel to the exercise. Additionally, the Australian contingent features 20 individuals each from the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The primary objective of AustraHind-23 is to nurture a collaborative partnership and facilitate the exchange of best practices between the Indian and Australian armed forces. The joint drills aim to enhance interoperability, particularly in the context of multi-domain operations conducted in urban and semi-urban terrains under Chapter VII of the United Nations, focusing on peacekeeping operations.

"The joint exercise will foster an exchange of ideas and the collective rehearsal of tactics, techniques, and procedures for conducting tactical operations. The training curriculum encompasses various aspects, including sniper firing, as well as the joint operation of surveillance and communication equipment to achieve a heightened level of situational awareness," emphasized the MoD release.

Furthermore, the exercise is expected to contribute to mutual understanding between the two military forces, serving to strengthen defense cooperation between India and Australia. The Ministry of Defence emphasized that this collaborative effort is vital in fortifying the bond between these friendly nations.

In its press release, the Ministry of Defence highlighted that Exercise AustraHind was established in 2022, with its inaugural edition taking place in Mahajan, Rajasthan. The exercise is designed to be an annual training event, alternating between India and Australia, further solidifying the strategic partnership between the two countries.