Bikaner: The armies of India and Australia will commence their bilateral exercise “Austra Hind 2022” from November 28 at Bikaner-based Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan.
This is the first exercise in the series of Austra Hind with participation of all arms and services contingent from both armies.
The Australian Army contingent comprising soldiers from the 13th Brigade of the 2nd Division has arrived at the exercise location.
The Indian Army is represented by troops from the Dogra Regiment.
Exercise “AUSTRA HIND” will be a yearly event that will be conducted alternatively in India and Australia.
Indian Army PRO Col Sudhir Chamoli said that the aim of the exercise is to build positive military relations, imbibe each other’s best practices and promote the ability to operate together while undertaking multidomain operations in Semi deserts terrain under a UN peace enforcement mandate.
“This joint exercise will enable the two armies to share best practices in tactics, techniques and procedures for conducting tactical operations at Company and Platoon level for neutralising hostile threats,” he said.
What kind of training would be conducted?
The soldiers of two countries would be training on new generation equipment and specialist weapons including snipers, surveillance and communication equipment to achieve a high degree of situational awareness apart from casualty management, casualty evacuation and planning logistics at Battalion / Company level.
During the exercise, the participants will engage in a variety of tasks ranging from joint planning, joint tactical drills, sharing basics of special arms skills and raiding a hostile target.
The joint exercise, besides promoting understanding and interoperability between the two armies, will further help in strengthening ties between India and Australia.
