NEW DELHI: The month of September has been packed for Indian military diplomacy, with multiple exercises, both bilateral and multilateral, that have not only brought in a few countries for the first time but also led to the successful culmination of India's first multinational air warfare exercise.
Additionally, there have been joint bilateral defence talks with multiple nations. The Indian Air Force held its first-ever multinational exercise, Tarang Shakti 24, which recently concluded. This was India's maiden multinational air exercise, with eight participating nations contributing air assets and 18 observer nations attending.
Held in two phases, the exercise saw many firsts. The Royal Australian Air Force sent three EA-18G Growler aircraft and up to 120 personnel to participate in Phase II of Exercise Tarang Shakti 24, held at Air Force Station Jodhpur from 30th August to 13th September 2024. Phase I was held at Sulur, Tamil Nadu, from 6th to 14th August. For the first time, Germany participated in an aerial exercise on Indian soil, with its Eurofighter Typhoon performing air manoeuvres.
Meanwhile, the 20th edition of the India-US Joint Military Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2024 is being held from 9th to 22nd September at the Foreign Training Node in Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan.
This edition witnessed a significant increase in the scope and complexity of the joint exercise in terms of troop strength and equipment. The Indian Army contingent, comprising 600 personnel, is being represented by a battalion of the RAJPUT Regiment, along with personnel from other arms and services.
The US contingent, of similar strength, is represented by troops from the 1-24 Battalion of the Alaska-based 11th Airborne Division of the US Army.
The aim of the joint exercise is to enhance the joint military capability of both sides to undertake counter-terrorism operations in a sub-conventional scenario under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. The exercise will focus on operations in a semi-desert environment.
India has also sent its contingent for the ongoing India-Oman Joint Military Exercise Al Najah, which is scheduled to be conducted from 13th to 26th September 2024 at the Rabkoot Training Area in Salalah, Oman.
The Ministry of Defence stated, "Exercise AL NAJAH V will allow both sides to exchange best practices in tactics, techniques, and procedures for joint operations. It will foster interoperability, goodwill, and camaraderie between the two armies. Additionally, the joint exercise will strengthen defence cooperation and further enhance the bilateral relations between the two friendly nations."
At the beginning of the month, there were important maritime manoeuvres between India and France. The Indian Navy's frontline stealth frigate, INS Tabar, commanded by Captain MR Harish, visited Toulon, France, from 29th August to 1st September.
Later, upon departure, it participated in the 22nd edition of the IN-FN Bilateral Exercise Varuna from 2nd to 4th September 2024 in the Mediterranean Sea. In addition to INS Tabar, the Indian Navy was represented by a ship-borne helicopter and aircraft P8I, while the French side was represented by FS Provence, the submarine Suffren, aircraft F20, Atlantique 2, fighters MB339, and helicopters NH90 and Dauphin.
The Indian Navy stated, "A series of advanced naval operations were conducted during the present edition of the bilateral exercise, involving enhanced tactical manoeuvres, advanced anti-submarine warfare exercises, FLYEX, Air Defence Exercise, live weapon firings, PHOTO-EX, and Steam Past, seamlessly integrating assets of both navies in all three domains — air, surface, and sub-surface."
On another front, multiple meetings took place in India and abroad between Indian defence officials and those of other nations, mostly in the realm of Joint Defence Cooperation.
India and Saudi Arabia conducted the sixth edition of the Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation (JCDC) meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 4th September 2024. The two countries discussed new avenues to further strengthen their longstanding and multi-faceted defence cooperation. Detailed deliberations were held to expand the scope of engagement and cooperation in areas such as military training, defence industry, and R&D.
The fifth Defence Cooperation Dialogue between India and the Maldives took place in New Delhi on 6th September 2024. The Indian delegation was led by Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane, while the Maldivian delegation was headed by Chief of Defence Force, Maldives National Defence Force, General Ibrahim Hilmy.
The fifth meeting of the India-Philippines Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) was held in Manila on 11th September 2024. The meeting was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and his counterpart, Senior Undersecretary at the Ministry of National Defence of the Philippines, Mr Irineo Cruz Espino.
The third edition of the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting between India and Kenya was held in New Delhi on 3rd September 2024. The two countries discussed a wide range of avenues for defence cooperation in areas such as military cooperation, training, defence industries, and R&D.