Journalism of Courage
The inaugural edition of the joint table top exercise CINBAX between the Indian Army and Cambodian Army, which comprises the conduct of wargame on joint counterterrorism operations, commenced at a foreign training node in Pune on Sunday. The exercise includes discussions on information operations, cyber warfare and hybrid warfare among other facets of modern warfare.
The exercise, being conducted from December 1 to 8, comprises 20 personnel each from an Infantry Brigade, from Cambodian Army contingent and Indian Army contingent. In defence terminology, wargaming exercises are a broad term used for structured and simulated military operations undertaken to test and refine tactics and strategies. One of the types of wargaming exercises is table top exercises which are held on maps and various strategic maneuvers are conducted on the simulated scenarios held on table.
Officials said that Exercise CINBAX is a planning exercise aimed at wargame conduct of joint counter terrorism (CT) operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. The exercise will focus on discussions pertaining to establishment of joint training task force for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance besides planning of operations in the CT environment.
Various contingencies will be war gamed—handled in a simulated environment—and employment of force multipliers in sub conventional operations will also be discussed. The exercise will also involve discussions on information operations, cyber warfare, hybrid warfare, logistics and casualty management, HADR operations etc.
“The exercise will be conducted in three phases. Phase-I will focus on preparations and orientation of participants for CT operations during UN peacekeeping missions. Phase-II will involve conduct of the table top exercises and phase-III will involve finalisation of plans and summing up. This will bring out practical aspects of the theme-based training and aims at enabling participants to comprehend procedures through situation-based discussions and tactical exercises,” said a release from the Ministry of Defence.
The exercise will also showcase weapons and equipment of Indian origin promoting ‘Atmanirbharta’ and indigenous capabilities in defence production. “The inaugural edition of Exercise CINBAX will focus on enhancing trust, camaraderie and achieving desired level of interoperability between troops of both sides. It will also enhance the joint operational efficiency of both the Armies while undertaking peacekeeping operations.” the release added.
