A combined contingent from the Indian Army and Indian Air Force, consisting of 120 personnel, has set off for Kazakhstan to participate in the 7th edition of the Joint Military Exercise KAZIND-2023. This year’s exercise will take place in Otar, Kazakhstan, spanning from October 30 to November 11, 2023.
The Indian Army’s contingent is comprised of 90 personnel, led by a battalion from the DOGRA Regiment. The Kazakhstan contingent primarily represents personnel from the Regional Command South of the Kazakh Ground Forces. In addition to the Army contingents, 30 personnel from the Air Force on both sides will participate in the exercise.
The joint exercise between India and Kazakhstan, initially known as ‘Exercise PRABAL DOSTYK,’ was first held in 2016. After its second edition, the exercise was elevated to a company-level exercise and renamed ‘Exercise KAZIND.’ This year, the exercise has been further upgraded to a bi-service exercise by including the Air Force component.
During this edition of the exercise, both sides will practice counter-terrorism operations in a sub-conventional environment under a United Nations mandate. The contingents will jointly rehearse various tactical maneuvers, including raids, search and destroy operations, small team insertion and extraction operations, among others. The exercise will also encompass counter unmanned aerial system operations.
‘Exercise KAZIND-2023’ offers an opportunity for both sides to familiarize themselves with each other’s tactics, battle procedures, and drills, essential for operating under the United Nations umbrella. This joint training will facilitate the development of necessary skills, resilience, and coordination for conducting military operations in semi-urban and urban environments.
The exercise will provide an extensive platform for practicing a wide spectrum of combat skills and mutual learning from each other. Moreover, it will serve as an arena for the contingents to exchange perspectives and share best practices. ‘Exercise KAZIND-2023’ is expected to further enhance the rapport between the two armies, strengthening their collaborative capabilities and mutual understanding.