3rd AUSTRAHIND military exercise commences in Maharastra
Military exercise
5 min read
The 3rd India-Australia joint military exercise, code-named AUSTRAHIND, commenced at the Foreign Training Node, Pune, Maharashtra, on 8 November 2024. The 3rd AUSTRAHIND, hosted by the Indian Army, will be held from 8-21 November 2024.
The 2nd edition of the AUSTRAHIND exercise was held in Australia in December 2023.
The first edition of the annual AUSTRAHIND exercise was held in 2022, and India and Australia alternatively host it.
Participants of the 3rd AUSTRAHIND Exercise 2024
Though the AUSTRAHIND military exercise is basically an Army-level exercise between the two countries, the Indian Air Force contingent also participates in it. This year, the contingent consists of 140 personnel from the Indian Army’s Dogra Regiment and 14 personnel from the Indian Air Force.
Australia has sent 120 personnel of its 13th Light Horse Regiment of the 10th Brigade of the 2nd Division of the Australian Army.
What is the Aim of the 3rd AUSTRAHIND Exercise?
A nation conducts military exercises with other countries as part of its diplomacy to strengthen its defence ties with them.
The AUSTRAHIND exercise also seeks to build positive military relations, imbibe each other’s best practices, and promote the ability to operate together while undertaking multi-domain operations.
At the 3rd AUSTRAHIND exercise, both countries' contingents will undertake joint sub-conventional operations in semi-urban environments in semi-desert terrain under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter and conduct joint counter-terrorism operations. The joint exercise will also strengthen ties between India and Australia at the tactical and operational levels.
India Australia military exercise
The India-Australia defence relationship has grown stronger over the years and is governed by the bilateral Framework for Security Cooperation 2014. India and Australia conduct a series of military exercises.
AUSINDEX
AUSINDEX is a biennial, bilateral maritime exercise held between the Royal Australian Navy and the Indian Navy. The first AUSINDEX exercise was held in the Bay of Bengal in 2015, and the fifth was held in Sydney, Australia, from 22 to 25 August 2023.
Malabar Exercise
Malabar is a four-nation naval exercise involving the Indian Navy, the US Navy, the Japanese Navy, and the Australian Navy. Australia participated in the exercise for the first time in 2007 and has been a regular participant since 2020.
India hosted the 28th edition of the Malabar exercise in November 2024.
MILAN
The Indian Navy hosts the multilateral naval exercise held biennially. The Royal Australian Navy has participated in the MILAN exercise since 2003.
The first Milan exercise was held in 1995, and the 12th edition was held in the Bay of Bengal from 19 to 27 February 2024.
PITCH BLACK
Pitch Black is a multinational Air Force exercise conducted by the Royal Australian Air Force.
The Indian Air Force has regularly participated in the Pitch Black exercise since 2018.
Tarang Shakti
The Royal Australian Air Force participated in the largest-ever air exercise organised by the Indian Air Force, Tarang Shakti, in August/September 2024.
IAF conducts its largest-ever multinational exercise, Tarang Shakti
Multinational Malabar Naval Exercise 2024 Start in the Bay of Bengal
