28.5c India
The third iteration of the India-Australia joint military exercise, AustraHind, began on November 8 and will run until November 21 at the Foreign Training Node in Aundh, Pune. The Defense Ministry created this two-week training to improve collaboration and interoperability between the two nations' armed services.
Phase I of the exercise saw Indian and Australian forces actively partaking in various training activities, including martial arts, physical fitness drills, combined tactical planning, and special weapons skills. They have also simulated combat scenarios such as raiding hostile targets and administering first aid to injured soldiers. These drills aim to develop coordination and foster mutual understanding.
Cultural exchanges have been an essential component of Australia 2024. The contingents toured the historic Sinhagad Fort in Pune and the famed National Defence Academy (NDA) in Khadakwasla, where they spoke with instructors and heard about the NDA's training ethos and tradition.
The second phase will focus on combined combat training and tactical exercises to improve operational readiness. The exercise will finish with a 48-hour validation exercise on November 19-20, which will test the skills learned during training. AustraHind 2024 highlights India and Australia's growing defence connections, strengthening regional security and collaboration.