Shared goals, common threats and passion for cricket at India-Aus military exercise ‘Austrahind’ in Pune

The third edition, which is slated to be held between November 8 and 21, commenced at the Foreign Training Node of the Aundh Military Station in Pune. The Australian contingent comprises the troops of the 13th Brigade of 2nd Division of Australian Army while the Indian contingent comprises troops from 9 Dogra Infantry Battalion of the 72 Infantry Brigade of 36 Rapid Strike and Indian Air Force Garud Commandos. A total of 255 soldiers and officers of both countries are participating in the exercise.

The contingents during the opening of Joint Military Exercise AUSTRAHIND-lll between India Australia at the Foreign Training Node, Aundh on Friday. (Express photograph by Arul Horizon. 08/11/2024, Pune)

The exercise aims to strengthen military relations, improve interoperability, enhance defence cooperation along with joint tactics, techniques and procedures between two militaries. It focuses on conduct of combined sub-conventional operations under UN mandate with physical fitness, sharing best practices and tactical level drills being the cornerstone. The two contingents will share technologies with each other, conduct conventional war fighting drills for urban environments and will also participate in medical and canine training and cross-training on each others’ weapon systems.

Indian contingent commander, Brigadier Sanjeev Saharan of the 72 Infantry Brigade of Indian Army, said, “Our nations share a proud history of cooperation, dating back to the First and Second World Wars when Indian and Australian soldiers stood shoulder to shoulder on the battlefield far from their homelands. Whether it was in Gallipoli (Turkey), the Middle East, or Europe, our troops fought with unmatched bravery and camaraderie, forging bonds of mutual respect and trust that endure to this day.”

The Australian contingent curiously looking at the sorties by fighter aircrafts ( which often happens at the Air Force station nearby ) after the opening of Joint Military Exercise AUSTRAHIND-lll between India Australia at the Foreign Training Node, Aundh on Friday. (Express photograph by Arul Horizon. 08/11/2024, Pune)

Brig Saharan added, “Beyond the wars of the past, both India and Australia have demonstrated their commitment to global peace and stability through participation in United Nation peacekeeping missions. In the recent past our defence cooperation has manifested in various joint exercises such as Exercise Malabar, AusIndex, Pitch Black and the first two editions of Ex Austrahind.”

Australian contingent commander Brigadier Amanda Williamson said, “It is important to note that the training we will undertake together in the next ten days, is occurring against the backdrop of an increasingly complex and unpredictable world. Both our nations currently face common threats in our region, including challenges to maritime security, the growing threat of terrorism and extremism, cybersecurity threats against critical infrastructure, and the security impacts of climate change and natural disasters. Now more than ever, Australia and India’s role as the largest democracies in the region, is critical in promoting a stable, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.”

Military personnel from both the countries sharing a light moment ( pictures clicked with exchanged military caps etc) after the opening of Joint Military Exercise AUSTRAHIND-lll between India Australia at the Foreign Training Node, Aundh on Friday. (Express photograph by Arul Horizon. 08/11/2024, Pune)

During interaction with the media, Brig Williamson said, “It is my hope, that at the end of the day, once the training is completed there will be time for indulging in our shared passion of cricket. Wherever I travel all over the world in this role, Australians and Indians are always great friends until we start to talk about cricket. We have shared love for the game. I am pleased to see that our program has many opportunities to talk about cricket and to play cricket. I look forward to seeing that competition out on the pitch during the exercise.”

The exercise will be conducted in two phases – combat conditioning and tactical training phase and validation phase. Aspects to be rehearsed during the exercise will include response to a terrorist action of capturing a defined territory, establishment of a Joint Operations Centre, conduct of joint counter terrorism operations like raid and search and destroy missions, securing of a helipad, employment of drones and counter drone measures and special heli-borne operations, among others.