AUSTRAHIND Exercise 2024: India-Australia Defense Bond

The India-Australia Defense Bond, a joint military exercise, has begun its third edition. The two-week exercise, hosted by the Indian Army, aims to enhance interoperability in sub-conventional operations under UN mandate Chapter VII.

Exercise Overview and Participation

The third edition of AUSTRAHIND, a joint military exercise between India and Australia, commenced at Aundh military station, Pune.
The Indian contingent comprises 140 personnel from the Dogra Regiment and 14 from the Indian Air Force.
Australia's participation includes 120 personnel from the 13th Light Horse Regiment of the 10th Brigade.
The two-week exercise runs from November 8-21, 2024, hosted by the Indian Army.
This annual exercise alternates between India and Australia, with the previous edition held in Australia in December 2023.

Historical Military Partnership

The military cooperation between India and Australia dates back to World Wars I and II.
Indian and Australian soldiers fought together in various campaigns, including Gallipoli (Turkey), the Middle East, and Europe.
The Jawan Anzac Memorial in Sydney, erected in 2018, commemorates 12 Indian soldiers who died serving alongside Australians in WWI.
This historical partnership has evolved into a comprehensive strategic relationship in modern times.

Exercise Objectives and Training Components

Primary aim is to enhance interoperability in sub-conventional operations under UN mandate Chapter VII.

Focus areas include:

- Combat team-level training in conventional warfighting
- Cross-training on weapon systems
- Counter IED technologies
- Canine operations
- Combat medical training
The exercise includes two phases: combat conditioning and tactical training, followed by validation.
Special emphasis on joint counter-terrorism operations, including raid missions and securing helipads.

Broader Defense Cooperation Framework

Both nations participate in multiple joint exercises:

- AUSINDEX: Bilateral maritime exercise between navies
- Malabar Exercise: Four-nation naval exercise including US and Japan
- MILAN: Multilateral naval exercise hosted by Indian Navy
- Pitch Black: Multinational Air Force exercise
- Tarang Shakti: Large-scale air exercise

The cooperation aims to address common regional threats:

- Maritime security challenges
- Terrorism and extremism
- Cybersecurity threats
- Promoting stability in the Indo-Pacific region

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