5th edition of India-Vietnam Exercise 'Vinbax 2024 Commences at Ambala

The 5th edition of the India-Vietnam bilateral military exercise ‘Vinbax 2024’ commenced at Ambala, Haryana on 4 November 2024. The 5th edition of the VIbax 2024 will be held from 4-23 November at Ambala and Chandimandir .

The 4th edition of the military exercise Vinbax 2023 was held in Vietnam from 10-21 December 2023.  

Chandimandir in Panchkula,Haryana is the headquarters of the Western Command of the Indian Army.

Enhanced Scope of the Vinbax 2024 military exercise 

The Vinbax military exercise between India and Vietnam was started in 2018 and the first exercise was held in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. 

It is an annual bilateral exercise held alternatively in India and Vietnam. The exercise is mainly conducted between the Armies of both the countries. 

In the 5th edition of the In the history of the Vinbax exercise for the first time personale from both the Army and Air force of the both the countries are participating.

Participants of the Vinbax 2024 military exercise

The focus of the 5th edition of the Vinbax 2024 military exercise is to enhance the military capability of both sides in the deployment of the Engineer Company to undertake engineering tasks as part of United Nations Contingent in Peacekeeping Operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.

The Indian contingent of 47 personnel is mainly drawn from the Indian Army’s Corps of Engineers and also includes personnel from other arms and services.The Vietnamese contingent also consist of 47 personnels of the Vietnamese People’s Army.

Aim of the Vinbax Exercise 

The Vinbax exercise is a Command Post cum Field Training Exercise which aims to facilitate the exchange of ideas and the joint rehearsal of tactics, techniques, and procedures related to combat engineering and combat medical tasks.

A 48 hours Validation Exercise will mark the end of the military exercise which will showcase the standards attained by the participating India and Vietnamese troops. 

India Vietnam Defence ties 

India and Vietnam share close political and defence ties .In 2007 both the countries established a strategic partnership which was raised to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership level in 2016.

Indian announced the the gifting of an indigenously built  missile corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam during the visit of the Vietnam’s defence minister General Phan Van Giang to India in  June 2023

The Vietnamese Naval ships participated in the international maritime exercise MILAN organised by the Indian Navy in India in February 2024.