The Indian Army contingent departed today to Termez, the Republic of Uzbekistan, for the 5th edition of the joint military exercise named DUSTLIK. The exercise is scheduled from 15 to 28 April and is held annually in India and Uzbekistan. The previous edition took place in February 2023 at Pithoragarh, India.
A group of 60 individuals from the Indian Armed Forces is currently participating in an event. Among them, 45 belong to the Indian Army, mainly from the JAT Regiment Battalion, while the other 15 are from the Indian Air Force. The Uzbekistan contingent is represented by approximately 100 personnel from the Uzbekistan Army and Air Force, with members from the Southern Operational Command, which is part of the South-West Military District, according to an Indian Army official.
Exercise DUSTLIK aims to foster military cooperation and enhance combined capabilities to execute joint operations in mountainous and semi-urban terrain. It will focus on a high degree of physical fitness, joint planning, joint tactical drills, and the basics of special arms skills.
Tactical drills to be practised during the exercise will include creating a joint command post, establishing an intelligence and surveillance centre, securing the landing site, Small Team Insertion and extraction, special heliborne operations, cordon and search operations, room intervention drills, and demolition of illegal structures.
The conduct of multi-domain operations has enhanced the complexity of this edition of Exercise DUSTLIK, as the contingent comprises personnel from combat support arms and services besides the Infantry. The official says that two Women Officers also form part of the IA contingent, including one from the Regiment of Artillery and the second from the Army Medical Corps.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the exercise ‘DUSTLIK’ will enable the two sides to share their best practices in Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for conducting joint operations. The Exercise will facilitate the development of inter-operability, bonhomie, and camaraderie between soldiers of both countries. It will also enhance defence cooperation, further fostering bilateral relations between the two friendly nations.
Team BharatShakti
