India reloads, aims to figure on military map

After signing the French Rafale jet deal, the Army is holding drills with the US and Russian militaries
India reloads, aims to figure on military map

NEW DELHI: At a time when Pakistan is engaging in war games with Russia for the first time, New Delhi has stepped up its military engagement with major military powers of the world. After joining hands to procure Rafale fighter jets from France, the Indian Army is carrying out drills with the US and Russian militaries simultaneously.

The US military contingent represented by a Company of 5th Infantry Battalion, 20 Infantry Regiment, two Stryker Brigade Combat Team, seven Infantry Division, is already carrying out a military exercise titled “Yudh Abhyas” on the hills of Uttarakhand. The two-week long joint drill to hone tactical and technical skills in countering insurgency and terrorism in a UN peacekeeping scenario involving combined deployment at the brigade level, according to Indian army.

State-of-the-art equipment for surveillance and tracking, specialist weapons for close quarter battle with terrorists, explosive and IED detectors, as well as the latest communication equipment is being fielded by both sides.

As the Indo-US military exercise is yet to be finished, an Indian army delegation has landed in Vladivostok in Russia to participate in joint military war games. Over 250 soldiers from Kumaon regiments are being trained in Russia in semi-mountainous and jungle terrain military operations in the eight edition of India-Russia Join military exercise ‘Indra-2016’.

Engaging with the two world powers coincided with the Indian Air Force inking deal to procure 36 Rafale fighter jets from France, to give much needed superiority air power over Pakistan.

“Engaging with three world powers simultaneously shows New Delhi’s influence in the world map. World’s top militaries wanted to join hand with India, as it is a growing super-power in contingent,” said a military official.

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The New Indian Express
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