Watch | The fifth edition of the India–Australia joint military exercise AUSTRAHIND 2026 concluded on 1 November 2026 at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The exercise culminated with a 36-hour Joint Validation Exercise conducted on 30 and 31 October, testing the operational coordination and interoperability of Indian and Australian forces.
The validation exercise involved coordinated military operations across jungle, island and coastal environments, with participation from the Indian Army and Australian Defence Force.
36-Hour Joint Validation Exercise
The concluding phase tested the participating forces through several operational activities, including:
- Sea and air insertions.
- Securing beachheads and port facilities.
- Casualty evacuation operations.
- Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).
- Protection of vital installations.
- Counter-Insurgency and Counter-Terrorism (CI/CT) operations.
The validation was conducted under Chapter VI of the UN Charter, providing a peacekeeping-oriented operational framework.
Participation of Indian Navy and Air Force
Apart from the Indian Army and Australian Defence Force, the exercise received support from personnel and assets of the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.
The Vizhinjam International Port Authority and Kerala Fire and Rescue Services also participated, demonstrating coordination between military forces and civilian agencies during complex operational situations.
The exercise highlighted the importance of inter-service cooperation, civil-military coordination and multi-domain operational capabilities.
Senior Military Officers Witness the Exercise
The Joint Validation Exercise was witnessed by senior military representatives from India, Australia and New Zealand, including:
- Major General Matt Burr, AM: General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division, Australian Defence Force.
- Major General Kapil Rana, SM: General Officer Commanding (GOC), 54 Infantry Division, Indian Army.
- Commodore A J Dowling: New Zealand Defence Attaché to India and Australia.
New Zealand also participated as an observer for the first time in the 2026 edition of AUSTRAHIND.
About Exercise AUSTRAHIND
AUSTRAHIND is a bilateral military exercise between the Indian Army and Australian Army, aimed at strengthening defence cooperation, operational coordination and interoperability.
The fifth edition commenced on 19 October 2026 at the Foreign Training Node in Thiruvananthapuram, with approximately 120 personnel from each country.
- Indian contingent: Garhwal Rifles, supported by personnel from other arms and services.
- Australian contingent: 13 Brigade.
- Previous edition: The fourth edition was conducted at Irwin Barracks, Perth, Australia, from 13 to 26 October 2025.
The 2026 edition focused on joint sub-conventional operations in island and coastal environments. Its training activities aimed to develop common operational procedures and improve the ability of both armies to conduct coordinated missions in challenging terrain.
The successful completion of AUSTRAHIND 2026 represents another step towards strengthening the India–Australia defence partnership and improving joint operational readiness in the Indo-Pacific region.
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