Highlighting the World Battle period historical past of navy operations, widespread threats and shared strategic objectives within the Indo-Pacific area and the fervour for the sport of cricket, the contingents of the Indian and Australian navy on Friday started the third iteration of the joint navy train ‘Austrahind’ in Pune. The train focuses on interoperability in multi-domain operations.
Train ‘Austrahind’ was instituted in 2022 and the primary version was carried out within the Mahajan Area Ranges in Rajasthan and the second iteration at Perth in Australia. The joint train is deliberate to be an annual coaching occasion to be carried out alternatively in India and Australia.
The third version, which is slated to be held between November 8 and 21, commenced on the International Coaching Node of the Aundh Army Station in Pune. The Australian contingent contains the troops of the thirteenth Brigade of 2nd Division of Australian Military whereas the Indian contingent contains troops from 9 Dogra Infantry Battalion of the 72 Infantry Brigade of 36 Fast Strike and Indian Air Power Garud Commandos. A complete of 255 troopers and officers of each international locations are collaborating within the train.
The train goals to strengthen navy relations, enhance interoperability, improve defence cooperation together with joint ways, strategies and procedures between two militaries. It focuses on conduct of mixed sub-conventional operations underneath UN mandate with bodily health, sharing greatest practices and tactical stage drills being the cornerstone. The 2 contingents will share applied sciences with one another, conduct typical battle preventing drills for city environments and also will take part in medical and canine coaching and cross-training on every others’ weapon methods.
Indian contingent commander, Brigadier Sanjeev Saharan of the 72 Infantry Brigade of Indian Military, mentioned, “Our nations share a proud historical past of cooperation, courting again to the First and Second World Wars when Indian and Australian troopers stood shoulder to shoulder on the battlefield removed from their homelands. Whether or not it was in Gallipoli (Turkey), the Center East, or Europe, our troops fought with unmatched bravery and camaraderie, forging bonds of mutual respect and belief that endure to this present day.”
Brig Saharan added, “Past the wars of the previous, each India and Australia have demonstrated their dedication to world peace and stability by participation in United Nation peacekeeping missions. Within the current previous our defence cooperation has manifested in varied joint workout routines resembling Train Malabar, AusIndex, Pitch Black and the primary two editions of Ex Austrahind.”
Australian contingent commander Brigadier Amanda Williamson mentioned, “It is very important observe that the coaching we are going to undertake collectively within the subsequent ten days, is happening in opposition to the backdrop of an more and more complicated and unpredictable world. Each our nations presently face widespread threats in our area, together with challenges to maritime safety, the rising risk of terrorism and extremism, cybersecurity threats in opposition to important infrastructure, and the safety impacts of local weather change and pure disasters. Now greater than ever, Australia and India’s function as the biggest democracies within the area, is important in selling a secure, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.”
Throughout interplay with the media, Brig Williamson mentioned, “It’s my hope, that on the finish of the day, as soon as the coaching is accomplished there shall be time for indulging in our shared ardour of cricket. Wherever I journey everywhere in the world on this function, Australians and Indians are all the time nice associates till we begin to discuss cricket. We’ve got shared love for the sport. I’m happy to see that our program has many alternatives to speak about cricket and to play cricket. I stay up for seeing that competitors out on the pitch through the train.”
The train shall be carried out in two phases – fight conditioning and tactical coaching part and validation part. Facets to be rehearsed through the train will embody response to a terrorist motion of capturing an outlined territory, institution 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 particular heli-borne operations, amongst others.
