Context:
Recently, the Indian Army and Indian Air Force contingent, comprising 120 personnel, departed to take part in the Joint Military ‘Exercise KAZIND-2023’ which will be conducted at Otar, Kazakhstan, from October 30th to November 11th, 2023.
Relevance:
GS III: Security Challenges
Dimensions of the Article:
- Exercise KAZIND-2023
- Significance
Exercise KAZIND-2023
- 7th Edition: This is the 7th iteration of the Kazind exercise.
- Inception: The Joint Exercise between India and Kazakhstan began as ‘Exercise PRABAL DOSTYK’ in 2016.
- Upgrade to Company-Level: After the second edition, it was elevated to a company-level exercise and renamed ‘Exercise KAZIND’.
- Bi-Service Exercise: In this edition, the exercise has been further upgraded to a Bi-service Exercise, including the Air Force component.
Focus and Activities
- Counter Terrorism Operations: The current edition focuses on practicing Counter Terrorism operations within a sub-conventional environment under a United Nations mandate.
- Tactical Drills: Contingents will jointly rehearse various tactical drills, including Raid, Search and Destroy Operations, Small Team Insertion and Extraction operations, etc.
- Counter Unmanned Aerial System Operations: The exercise scope also encompasses Counter Unmanned Aerial System Operations.
Significance
- Mutual Insight: Provides both sides with the opportunity to gain insight into each other’s tactics, battle drills, and procedures, essential for operations under the United Nations.
- Skill Development: Joint training develops the necessary skills, resilience, and coordination for conducting military operations in semi-urban and urban environments.
- Skill Exchange: Allows both sides to practice a wide range of combat skills and learn from each other.
- Knowledge Sharing: Provides a platform for the contingents to exchange views and share best practices.
