Indian Army contingent comprising of 137 personnel has set out for “Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23,” slated to take place from August 31 to September 14, 2023, at the Mohammed Naguib Military Base in Egypt.
This multinational tri-services joint military exercise will be under the leadership of US CENTCOM and the Egyptian Army. Initially conceived as a bilateral biennial training event between the US and Egypt during the Camp David Accord of 1977, the first iteration of the exercise occurred in Egypt in 1980. Starting from 1995, participation in the exercise was extended to other nations.
The preceding Exercise BRIGHT STAR was held in 2021, featuring the armed forces of 21 countries. This year, Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23 will witness the involvement of 34 countries, making it the largest-ever joint military drill in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Marking a significant first, the Indian Armed Forces will participate with a substantial contingent of 549 personnel. Representing the Indian Army is a unit from the 23rd JAT Battalion.
The exercise’s agenda encompasses an array of training activities focused on countering emerging unconventional threats and fostering stronger regional partnerships among the participating nations, all aimed at upholding global peace.
Alongside various field and situational training exercises, Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23 will feature a combined arms live firing drill in a tactical scenario. A panel discussion on contemporary topics, particularly Cyber Security, is also on the schedule, an area where the Indian Armed Forces are taking the lead.
The upcoming Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23 provides a distinctive platform for the Indian Army to exchange best practices and insights with other military forces while advancing defense cooperation. The Indian Army anticipates gaining enriching professional experiences from this exercise.