India, Australia to conduct joint military exercise in Rajasthan

New Delhi [India], November 27 : The bilateral training exercise "Austra Hind 22" between contingents of the Indian Army and the Australian Army is scheduled to take place at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan from tomorrow.
Starting on November 28, the joint exercise will continue till December 11.
According to the Ministry of Defence, this is the first exercise in the series of Austra Hind with the participation of all arms and services contingent from both armies. The Australian Army contingent comprising soldiers from the 13th Brigade of the 2nd Division has arrived at the exercise location.
The Indian Army is represented by troops from the DOGRA Regiment. Exercise "Austra Hind" will be a yearly event that will be conducted alternately in India and Australia.
The aim of the exercise is to build positive military relations, imbibe each other's best practices and promote the ability to operate together while undertaking multi-domain operations in Semi deserts terrain under a UN peace enforcement mandate, said the Defence Ministry statement.
This joint exercise will enable the two armies to share best practices in tactics, techniques and procedures for conducting tactical operations at Company and Platoon level for neutralising hostile threats. Training on new generation equipment and specialist weapons including snipers, surveillance and communication equipment to achieve a high degree of situational awareness apart from casualty management, casualty evacuation and planning logistics at the Battalion/Company level are also planned, the statement added.
During the exercise, the Ministry of Defence said participants will engage in a variety of tasks ranging from joint planning, joint tactical drills, sharing basics of special arms skills and raiding a hostile target. The joint exercise, besides promoting understanding and interoperability between the two armies, will further help in strengthening ties between India and Australia.