6th Indo-Uzbek military exercise Dustlik, commences in Pune

The 6th edition of the annual Indo-Uzbek joint military exercise ‘Dustlik’ commenced at the Indian Army's Foreign Training Node at Aundh, Pune, on 16 April 2025. 

The 13-day military drill will continue till 28th April 2025. 

The 5th edition of the bilateral Dustlik exercise was held in Termez District, Uzbekistan, in April 2024.

Nature of the Dustlik exercise 

The first Dustlik exercise between the Indian Army and Uzbekistan’s Army was held in 2019  in Uzbekistan. Initially, it was an Army exercise, but later, a contingent of the Air Forces of both countries also started participating in it.

The annual bilateral military exercise is hosted alternatively by India and Uzbekistan.

The Dustlik is a battalion-level exercise. This year, the 60-member Indian contingent consists of personnel from the Jat Regiment and the Indian Air Force.

The Uzbek side is being represented by its Army personnel.

About the Dustlik exercise 2025

This year, the Dustlik exercise will focus on a Joint Multi-Domain sub-conventional operation in a semi-urban setting. The exercise aims to hone the skills of the Indian and Uzbek forces in responding to an area captured by terrorists and its liberation. 

Both forces will work to set up a joint counter -terrorism operation centre to plan and execute the operation for liberating the territory held by the terrorists.

The Army and Air Force's special forces will secure a Helipad to provide logistical support to the team that will conduct raids, search-and-destroy operations to destroy the terrorists.

The Exercise will also cover the deployment of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVS), counter-UAV measures, and the Air Force's logistics support to sustain forces in hostile areas. 

Helicopters will also be deployed for reconnaissance and observation, special heliborne operations (SHBO), small team insertion and extraction (STIE) and other associated missions.

The exercise also aims to promote friendly ties between the personnel of the armed forces of both countries. It is expected to further strengthen the cordial defence relations between India and Uzbekistan.