• The sixth edition of India-Uzbekistan joint military exercise — Dustlik-VI — started at the Foreign Training Node, Aundh in Pune on April 16.

• The exercise is scheduled to be conducted till April 28.

• An Indian contingent of 60 personnel is being represented by a battalion of the Jat Regiment and IAF.

• The Uzbekistan contingent is being represented by personnel from the Uzbekistan Army. 

• Dustlik is an annual training event conducted alternatively in India and Uzbekistan.

• The last edition was conducted in Termez district, Uzbekistan in April 2024.

• The first edition of the exercise was held in Uzbekistan in November 2019. 

• This edition of the exercise will focus on response to a terrorist action involving the capture of defined territory and include the establishment of a Joint Operations Centre at the battalion level, raids, search-and-destroy operations and the employment of firepower, including air assets, to neutralise terrorists.

• It will also cover the deployment of drones, counter-unmanned aerial systems measures, and logistics support by the Air Force to sustain forces in hostile areas. 

• Additionally, helicopters will be used for reconnaissance and observation, special heliborne operations, small team insertion and extraction, and other associated missions.

• The exercise will enable both sides to share best practices in tactics, techniques and procedures of conducting joint sub-conventional operations. 

• It will facilitate developing interoperability, bonhomie and camaraderie between the two armies. 

• Dustlik will also enhance defence cooperation, further augmenting bilateral relations between the two friendly nations.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)