India and Australia begin AUSTRAHIND 2026 joint military exercise in Kerala

Indian and Australian troops have begun two weeks of joint combat drills in Kerala, focusing on specialized coastal and island warfare to strengthen tactical coordination between the two defense forces in the Indo-Pacific region.

The fifth edition of Exercise AUSTRAHIND 2026 commenced on October 19 at the Foreign Training Node in Thiruvananthapuram and will continue until November 1. According to the Ministry of Defence, approximately 240 personnel are participating in the exercise, with the Indian Army and the Australian Army contributing about 120 soldiers each.

The 14-day exercise is structured around the theme of joint sub-conventional operations in island and coastal terrain under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate. Training activities include combat swimming, static slithering, ambush counter-tactics, and drone manoeuvring, alongside joint surveillance and asset protection drills.

Contingent breakdown and participation

The Indian contingent is led by troops from the Garhwal Rifles, supported by personnel from other military arms and services. Australia is represented by soldiers from its 13th Infantry Brigade. For the first time since the exercise series began, New Zealand has sent an observer delegation to monitor the operational training.

Strategic focus and operational objectives

The drills incorporate ground, aerial, and maritime elements in realistic operational conditions across Kerala's jungle and coastal terrain. Beyond combat tactics, the exercise covers responses to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief scenarios.

The Ministry of Defence stated that the primary objective of the exercise is to enhance interoperability, joint planning, and tactical coordination while establishing common operational procedures between the two armies. The engagement underlines India's growing stature as a key anchor of maritime security and regional stability across the Indo-Pacific.