India-Australia joint military exercise ‘AUSTRAHIND’ concludes in Keralam

• The fifth edition of the India-Australia joint military exercise AUSTRAHIND concluded at the Foreign Training Node, Thiruvananthapuram, Keralam on November 1.

• The exercise, which began on October 19, witnessed participation of approximately 120 personnel each from the Indian Army and Australian Army.

• The Indian Army contingent comprised troops from the Garhwal Rifles, along with personnel from other arms and services. The Australian Army contingent comprised troops from 13 Brigade.

• The theme of the exercise was “Joint Sub-Conventional Operations in Island and Coastal Environment under Chapter VII of the UN Mandate”. 

• It is aimed at enhancing interoperability, jointmanship and operational coordination between the two armies while developing a common understanding of tactics, techniques and procedures for operations in island and coastal terrain.

• The exercise reaffirmed the shared commitment of India and Australia to enhancing interoperability, joint operational readiness and bilateral defence cooperation.

• The first edition of AUSTRAHIND exercise was conducted in Mahajan in Rajasthan in 2022. 

Other exercises involving Australia:

• The first-ever bilateral maritime exercise — AUSINDEX — was conducted in Visakhapatnam and the Bay of Bengal in September 2015. 

• The Royal Australian Navy has participated in every iteration of Exercise Milan since 2003. 

• Indian ships participated in Kakadu, the biennial multinational exercise of the Australian Navy held in 2018, 2022, 2024 and 2026. 

• Indian Air Force participated in Exercise Pitch Black in 2018, 2022, 2024 and 2026. 

• In October 2020, Australia participated in Exercise Malabar, joining India, the United States and Japan. In August 2023 Australia hosted Exercise Malabar for the first time.