AUSTRAHIND Exercise 2024: India-Australia Defense Bond

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