6th India-Japan Military Exercise Dharma Guardian starts in Japan

The infantry level 6th India-Japan Military Exercise ‘Dharma Guardian’ commenced in Japan on 24th January 2025. The exercise is being held at the East Fuji Manoeuvre Training Area of the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force from 24 February - 9 March 2025.

The annual India-Japan Military Exercise Dharma Guardian, which started in 2018, is held alternatively in India and Japan. The 5th edition of the military exercise was held at the Indian Army’s Mahajan Field Range, Rajasthan, in February-March 2024. 

Participants of the 6th Military Exercise Dharma Guardian

The Dharma Guardian military exercise is an infantry-level exercise in which the infantry division of both armies participates.

This year, a 120-member Indian contingent, mainly from the Indian Army’s Madras Regiment is participating in the exercise.

The Japanese Army, known as Japan Ground Self Defence Force, has deployed its 34th Infantry regiment for the exercise.

Aim and Goal of the Exercise 

• The main aim of the exercise is to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two countries, especially in the field of defence.
• The military exercise will provide an opportunity to strengthen the bond between the personnel of the Indian and Japanese armed forces personnel.
• The 6th edition will focus on honing the skills of the Indian and Japanese forces in undertaking joint counter-terror operations and urban warfare.

India-Japan Military Exercise 

India and Japan regularly conduct regular military exercises. The exercises are conducted bilaterally or multilaterally.

Bilateral exercise 

Dharma Guardian 

• Conducted between the Indian Army and the Japan Self Defence Ground Force.
• First-  November 2018 at the Counter Insurgency Warfare School, Vairengte, Mizoram.
• Annual exercise hosted alternatively by the two countries.

Japan-India Maritime Exercise(JIMEX)

• Conducted between the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force.
• First - 2012, held in Japan
• Held after two years.
• The 8th edition of Jimmex was held in Japan in June 2024.

Veer Guardian 

• Conducted between the Indian Air Force and the Japan  Air Self Defence Force.
• First edition - held in Japan in January 2023.
• Only held so far.

Exercise Shinyuu Maitri 

• Conducted between the Indian Air Force and the Japan  Air Self Defence Force.
• Focus on multirole transport aircraft exercise 
• First- 13 February 2023 to 02 March 2023 at Komatsu, Japan.
• Only held so far.

Multilateral exercise 

Both the country's Navies also participate in multilateral naval exercises with other countries. 

Malabar Exercise 

• Participants-  India, the United States of America, Japan and Australia 
• Started in 2012.
• Japan joined it in 2014
• 28th edition in the Bay of Bengal in November 2024.

Milan Exercise 

• Multinational naval exercise hosted by the Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam.
• Held every two years.
• First- 1995
• 12th edition held in 2024.

Coast Guard Level Exercise 

• The Indian Coast Guard and the Japanese Coast Guard conduct the Sahyog Kaijin exercise.  

About the East Fuji Manoeuvre Training Area 

• The East Fuji Manoeuvre Training Area is a part of the Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji.
• It is situated at the base of Mount Fuji in Japan.
• Mount Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan, and it is 12,388 feet (3,776 metres) tall.
• Mount Fuji is a dormant volcano, and its last eruption was recorded in 1707.