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The Indian and Australian armies began the fifth edition of their joint military exercise Austrahind at the Foreign Training Node in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on Monday, with around 240 personnel taking part in the two-week drills. A New Zealand observer delegation is participating for the first time.
Scheduled from October 19 to November 1, Austrahind 2026 is designed to improve interoperability and operational coordination between the two armies, with a focus on joint sub-conventional operations in island and coastal environments under a United Nations mandate.
The Indian contingent comprises troops from the Garhwal Rifles, supported by personnel from other arms and services, while the Australian Army is represented by troops from its 13 Brigade. Each country has deployed approximately 120 personnel.
Training will include joint operational planning, tactical drills and combat-oriented exercises under realistic conditions, incorporating aerial and maritime dimensions. The two sides will practise surveillance and reconnaissance, the protection of vital installations and coordinated responses to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief contingencies.
The exercise also aims to build a common understanding of operational tactics, techniques and procedures for deployments in coastal and island terrain, while facilitating the exchange of professional experience and best practices.
The previous edition was held at Irwin Barracks in Perth, Australia, from October 13 to 26, 2025. The latest iteration is expected to deepen military-to-military engagement and strengthen mutual trust between the two countries.
Austrahind forms part of broader India-Australia defence cooperation, with both countries seeking to enhance coordination in support of peace, stability and security in the Indo-Pacific. New Zealand’s participation as an observer adds a regional dimension to this year’s exercise.
Team BharatShakti
