New DelhiIndia and the US are conducting a joint military training exercise war exercise near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Auli in Uttarakhand amid the ongoing border standoff with China in eastern Ladakh.
The 15-day exercise, which began on November 16, specifically focused on high altitude and extreme cold warfare.
Sources in the defense establishment said that the exercise has been the center of exchange of best practices, methods, ideas, tactics, techniques and procedures between the two armies over the years.
Significantly, Auli is located just 95 kilometers from LAC. Thus, the exercise signals a joint stand against China’s aggression in Ladakh in the western sector of the LAC over the past two years.
Sources said that soldiers of the 2nd Brigade of the 11th Airborne Division of the US Army and soldiers of the Assam Regiment will take part in the 18th edition of the Indo-US military exercise.
“The schedule will include all operations related to peacekeeping and peace enforcement. The soldiers of both the countries will work together to achieve common objectives. The joint exercise will also focus on ‘Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)’ operations. Troops of both the countries will exercise to launch quick and coordinated relief efforts in the wake of any natural calamity release Told the Defense Ministry.
The previous edition of the bilateral exercise was held in October 2021 at Joint Base Elmdorf Richardson in Alaska. The 16th edition was to be held in February 2021 at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan.
“To derive full benefit from the professional skills and experiences of both the armies, a command post exercise and Expert Academic Discussion (EAD) will be carried out on carefully selected topics,” the release said.
ThePrint had informed of In June a US Army official – concerned by China’s critical infrastructure build-up in the region – had said that Indian and US forces would train together at 9,000-10,000 feet to enhance interoperability for high-altitude warfare.
The extensive exercise between the two armies will include formation of integrated battle groups, force multipliers, establishment and functioning of surveillance grids, verification of operational logistics, mountain warfare skills, casualty evacuation, and combat medical support in hostile terrain. Mausam released.
Indian and US navies also participated in this year’s Malabar exercise, which culminated in the Sea of Japan. Nov 15, Naval forces from Australia and Japan were also part of the multilateral exercise. India, the US, Australia and Japan are members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD).