The fifth edition of the India–Australia joint military exercise AUSTRAHIND 2026 has concluded in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, following 14 days of intensive training involving around 120 personnel each from the Indian and Australian armies.
The exercise, which began on 19 October at the Foreign Training Node in Thiruvananthapuram, concluded on 1 November with a closing ceremony attended by senior military and civilian dignitaries, including Australian High Commissioner to India Philip Green.
A key highlight was a 36-hour Joint Validation Exercise conducted on 30 and 31 October, testing the operational coordination, interoperability and preparedness of both forces across jungle, island and coastal environments.
The joint operations included sea and air insertions, securing beachheads and port facilities, casualty evacuation, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), protection of vital installations, and counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.
The exercise also demonstrated coordination across land, sea and air domains, with support from the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Vizhinjam International Port Authority, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Kerala Police and other civil and government agencies.
A notable component involved the Indian Navy’s INS Sharda and a Sea King helicopter carrying out a ship-to-shore troop insertion in coordination with Indian and Australian army personnel during joint HADR training in coastal terrain.
The Indian Army said the exercise demonstrated enhanced interoperability, tactical coordination and operational readiness, while strengthening mutual trust between the two forces.
The Australian contingent included soldiers from the Australian Army’s 13 Brigade, while the Indian contingent comprised troops from the Garhwal Rifles and personnel from other arms and services.
For the first time, a New Zealand observer delegation also participated in the exercise. The final validation was witnessed by Major General Matt Burr, General Officer Commanding 2nd Division, Australian Defence Force; Major General Kapil Rana, General Officer Commanding 54 Infantry Division, Indian Army; and Commodore A J Dowling, New Zealand Defence Attaché to India and Australia.
Australian High Commissioner Philip Green said he had the privilege of seeing Indian and Australian troops training side by side, noting that bilateral exercises strengthened mutual understanding and interoperability, built trust and deepened the defence partnership.
The exercise was also commended for the professionalism, dedication and commitment demonstrated by both contingents.
AUSTRAHIND is an annual bilateral military exercise conducted alternately in India and Australia. Its objectives include strengthening military cooperation, improving interoperability and allowing the two armies to exchange operational experience, tactics and procedures.
The fourth edition was held at Irwin Barracks in Perth, Western Australia, in October 2025.
The successful conclusion of AUSTRAHIND 2026 reaffirmed India’s and Australia’s commitment to expanding defence cooperation, strengthening joint operational capabilities and contributing to peace, stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
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