Australian troops (near side) and Indian troops during the closing ceremony of AustraHind 2024. (Photo via special arrangement.)
Pune: The third edition of the India-Australia joint military exercise, AustraHind – 2024, successfully concluded on Thursday, at the Foreign Training Node in Pune. This bilateral exercise, held annually, alternates between India and Australia.
The event, which started on November 8, was a two-week-long collaboration focusing on enhancing military cooperation and interoperability between the two nations under Chapter VII of the UN mandate.
The Indian contingent consisted of 140 personnel from the Dogra Regiment and 14 personnel from the Indian Air Force. On the Australian side, 120 personnel from the 13th Light Horse Regiment of the 10th Brigade participated.
The exercises were conducted in two phases:
1. Combat conditioning and tactical training focused on physical fitness and joint planning.
2. Validation phase, which included practical drills.
Some of the key activities during the exercise included:
* Counterterrorism operations, such as search-and-destroy missions and securing a helipad.
* Special heliborne operations and the establishment of a joint operations centre.
* Drone and counterdrone operations aimed at adapting to modern threats.
Apart from the military drills, as part of the exercise, both contingents participated in social and cultural activities. These included an excursion to the historic Sinhagad Fort near Pune, which provided a cultural and historical experience to the participants. The Australian contingent also visited the prestigious National Defence Academy at Khadakvasla, Pune, where they were familiarized with the NDA’s state-of-the-art training facilities and interacted with instructor staff.
The exercise also highlighted the shared passion for cricket between the two nations, with plans for a friendly cricket match between the Indian and Australian military units.
The exercise provided an opportunity for the armed forces of the two Commonwealth countries to share their best practices in tactical operations and foster camaraderie.
Closing Ceremony
The closing ceremony of Exercise AustraHind – 2024 was attended by the general officer commanding, 36 RAPID, Major General KTG Krishnan, and commander of the 2nd Australian Division, Major General David Thomae. The ceremony marked the successful completion of the two-week training program, which was designed to enhance cooperation and interoperability between the armed forces of the two nations.
The emphasized the strengthening of defence ties between India and Australia. The event celebrated the shared achievements and operational synergies developed during the exercise. Senior officials from both countries highlighted the importance of joint training in addressing global and regional security challenges.
The AustraHind Story
The AustraHind series of exercises began in 2022, with the inaugural exercise held in Rajasthan. The second edition took place in Perth, Western Australia, in 2023.
This year’s exercise is part of ongoing efforts to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership established between the two nations in 2020. AustraHind aims to build joint capabilities in conducting sub-conventional operations, particularly in semi-urban and semi-desert terrains.
The collaboration reflects the broader strategic relationship between India and Australia, which includes participation in multilateral exercises like Malabar and bilateral engagements like AUSINDEX. The exercises reinforce the shared commitment to peace and security in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond.