Indian Naval Ship (INS) Tarkash, on her long-range overseas deployment, conducted a Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) with French Naval Ships in the North Atlantic Ocean on July 29 and 30.
According to the Ministry of Defence, replenishment at sea was exercised between Tarkash and the French Fleet Tanker FNS Somme. This was followed by joint air operations with the maritime surveillance aircraft Falcon 50 participating in multiple simulated missile engagements and air defence drills.
The successful conduct of these surface and aerial exercises symbolise the high degree of professionalism and interoperability that exists between the two navies.
Earlier, INS Tarkash also undertook Maritime Patrol Exercise with Royal Moroccan Naval Ship Hassan II, a Floreal Class Corvette, on July 26 off Port Casablanca. The exercise was aimed at strengthening maritime ties between the two Navies.
India-Vietnam bilateral army exercise kicks off
Meanwhile, the third edition of Vietnam-India Bilateral Army Exercise 'Ex VINBAX 2022' began at Chandimandir. The 20-day exercise is a sequel to a previously conducted bilateral exercise in Vietnam in 2019 and a major milestone in strengthening the bilateral relations between India and Vietnam. India and Vietnam share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and defence cooperation is a key pillar of this partnership. Vietnam is an important partner in India’s Act East policy and the Indo-Pacific vision.
The theme of Ex VINBAX – 2022 is employment and deployment of an Engineer Company and a Medical Team as part of United Nations Contingent for Peace Keeping Operations. India has a rich legacy of deployment of troops in United Nations missions and has some of the best capacities to impart United Nations peace operations training incorporating best practices and hands on training to prospective United Nations peacekeepers at tactical, operational and strategic levels.
SanhChau Pham, Ambassador of Vietnam to India, inaugurating the open joint exercise 'Vinbax 2022' between the Indian and Vietnamese armies at Chandimandir on Monday (Images courtesy: Twitter/@SanhChauPham)
The conduct of Ex VINBAX – 2022 as a field training exercise with enhanced scope from previous editions of bilateral exercise will strengthen mutual confidence, inter-operability and enable sharing of best practices between the Indian Army and Vietnam People's Army. The joint exercise will also provide an opportunity to the troops of both the Contingents to learn about the social and cultural heritage of each other. Indian Army is being represented by troops from the 105 Engineer Regiment.
A 48 hours Validation Exercise is part of the schedule to assess the standards achieved by both contingents while executing technical military operations under similar scenarios in UN missions. A Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief demonstration and equipment display will showcase India’s capacity to undertake rescue and relief operations during natural and manmade disasters utilising indigenous solutions.
Oman contingent arrives in India for joint exercise Al NAJAH-IV
The 4th edition of India-Oman Joint Military Exercise ‘AL NAJAH-IV’ between contingents of Indian Army and the Royal Army of Oman also began at the Foreign Training Node of Mahajan Field Firing Ranges (Rajasthan) from Monday. The Royal Army of Oman contingent comprising 60 personnel from the Sultan of Oman Parachute Regiment have arrived at the exercise location. The Indian Army is represented by troops from the 18 Mechanised Infantary battalion. The previous edition of Ex AL NAJAH IV was organised at Muscat from March 12 to 25 in 2019.
The scope of the 14-day exercise includes professional interaction, mutual understanding of drills and procedures, establishment of joint command and control structures and elimination of terrorist threats. The joint exercise would focus on counter terrorism operations, regional security operations and peacekeeping operations under the United Nations Charter apart from organising joint physical training schedules, tactical drills, techniques and procedures.
A comprehensive training programme to culminate in a 48 hours-long validation exercise involving establishing of joint mobile vehicle check posts, joint cordon and search operations followed by joint room intervention drills in a built up area has been worked out.
The joint military exercise aims to enhance the level of defence co-operation between Indian Army and Royal Army of Oman and will further manifest in enhancing the bilateral relations between the two nations.
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