On November 28, 2022, the 1st edition of Austra Hind 2022, a joint military bilateral training exercise between the armies of India and Australia, was initiated at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges (MFFR) in Bikaner, Rajasthan.
- The exercise will culminate on December 11, 2022.
- MFFR, located in the desert near the Pakistan border, is the Indian Army’s oldest and largest training area.
Participants:
i.Indian Army is represented by the Dogra Regiment.
ii.Australian army contingent comprised of soldiers from the 13th Brigade of the 2nd Division.
Aim:
i.Strengthen military ties
ii.Share best practices
iii.Promote understanding and interoperability for multi-domain operations in semi-desert conditions under the United Nations’ (UN) mandate of Peace Enforcement.
Key Points:
i.During the exercise, there will be training on new generation equipment and specialist weapons, such as snipers, surveillance and communication equipment for a high level of situational awareness, as well as casualty management, evacuation, and planning logistics.
ii.Both armies will share best practices in tactics, techniques, and procedures for conducting tactical operations at the company and platoon levels to neutralize hostile threats.
iii.The schedule of the exercise also includes, Training on new generation equipment and specialist weapons including snipers, surveillance & communication equipment to achieve a high degree of situational awareness apart from casualty management, casualty evacuation and planning logistics at the Battalion or Company level.