A joint contingent of the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force, consisting of 120 personnel, embarked on a significant mission as they departed for Kazakhstan today. Their objective is to participate in the 7th edition of the Joint Military Exercise KAZIND-2023, a collaborative effort aimed at enhancing the capabilities of both nations.
The Exercise is scheduled to take place in Otar, Kazakhstan, from October 30th to November 11th, 2023. This edition of the Exercise marks a substantial step forward, with the inclusion of the Air Force component, transforming it into a Bi-service Exercise.
The Indian Army contingent, led by a Battalion from the DOGRA Regiment, comprises 90 personnel. On the other side, the Kazakhstan contingent is primarily represented by personnel from the Regional Command South of the Kazakh Ground Forces. The collaborative efforts extend to the Air Force as well, with 30 personnel from both sides taking part in this edition of the Exercise alongside the Army contingents.
The Joint Exercise, initiated in 2016 as ‘Exercise PRABAL DOSTYK,’ has seen notable growth and development. After the second edition, it was upgraded to a company-level exercise and renamed ‘Exercise KAZIND.’ The inclusion of the Air Force component in the current edition signifies another leap in its evolution.
During ‘Exercise KAZIND-2023,’ both sides will focus on conducting Counter Terrorism operations in a sub-conventional environment, operating under a United Nations mandate. The contingents will engage in a series of tactical drills, including Raid, Search and Destroy Operations, Small Team Insertion and Extraction Operations, and Counter Unmanned Aerial System Operations.
The Exercise will be a valuable opportunity for both sides to understand each other’s tactics, battle drills, and procedures, essential for working under the United Nations umbrella. Joint training will build the necessary skills, resilience, and coordination required for conducting military operations in semi-urban and urban environments.
The exercise offers an extensive platform for the exchange of combat skills, mutual learning, and sharing best practices between the Indian and Kazakh contingents. ‘Exercise KAZIND-2023’ is expected to further strengthen the bond between the two armies, fostering cooperation and mutual understanding.
