India and Australia Set to Sharpen Joint Tactical Skills in AustraHind 2024 Military Exercise

Pune, India - The 3rd edition of the joint military exercise AustraHind 2024, a significant event in the growing defence partnership between India and Australia, is set to take place at the Foreign Training Node in Pune, Maharashtra , from November 8 to November 21, 2024. The exercise aims to bolster the interoperability of the Indian Army and the Australian Army, specifically focusing on conducting sub-conventional operations under the United Nations mandate.

This exercise is a crucial step in furthering defence cooperation between the two nations, which share a strong commitment to maintaining peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region. The joint operations will focus on enhancing tactical and strategic coordination, with both armies honing their skills in complex peacekeeping scenarios, ensuring their readiness for modern security challenges.  

Aims of the Exercise: Strengthening Bonds and Enhancing Capabilities  

The core objective of AustraHind 2024 is to enhance interoperability between the two armies, facilitating joint operations in response to emerging global and regional threats. The exercise will emphasize the sharing of best practices, mutual training in combat tactics, and developing the capacity to work together in complex, non-traditional military operations, particularly under United Nations mandates.  

Previous iterations of the exercise, including AustraHind 2023, were held in Western Australia, and the Indian Army’s participation was marked by a strong focus on peacekeeping operations. The addition of both air and maritime elements last year marked an expansion in the scope of cooperation between the two armies.  

Colonel Mayank, Commanding Officer of the Indian Army contingent, emphasized that this year's exercise will build on the solid foundation laid in previous years. “The exercise aims to improve military relations and increase the capability to execute joint operations. The shared experiences and evolving joint tactics will further enhance our operational effectiveness,” Colonel Mayank said.  

A History of Successful Cooperation  

The 2023 edition of AustraHind was held at various locations, including the 13th Brigade base in Perth, Australia. Brigadier Brett Chaloner, Commander of the Australian 13th Brigade, noted that AustraHind 23 was an excellent opportunity for the Indian and Australian forces to exchange knowledge and enhance their understanding of tactics, techniques, and procedures in complex military environments.

The exercises covered a variety of drills, from fighting in semi-urban terrain to close-quarter battle and sniper techniques. Both forces participated in joint live-fire activities and tactical simulations, which demonstrated the growing synergy between them. The integration of air power, like the Hawk 127 lead-in fighters from the Royal Australian Air Force and live naval artillery fire from the HMAS Stuart, further emphasized the strategic advantage of their military cooperation.  

“The exercise strengthens our ability to address shared security challenges in the Indian Ocean region, and we are developing new ways to tackle these challenges together,” said Brigadier Chaloner.  

Building Towards Regional Security and Stability  

The AustraHind exercise plays a pivotal role in reinforcing the broader strategic ties between India and Australia, which have been further solidified through their shared participation in other multinational exercises, such as Exercise Malabar 2024, which also involves forces from Japan and the United States.

Australia and India have also planned other bilateral exercises, including Exercise Malabar, to further deepen military collaboration in the region. These exercises are seen as critical in shaping a collective approach to tackling both conventional and hybrid threats, reinforcing their commitment to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.