Dharma Guardian: India,Japan joint military exercise commences in Rajasthan

The fifth version of Joint Military Exercise ‘Dharma Guardian’ between the Indian Army and the Japan Ground Self Defence Force commenced on Sunday at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan.

The exercise is scheduled to be carried out from February 25 to March 9.

Exercise ‘Dharma Guardian’ is an annual exercise and carried out alternatively in India and Japan.

The contingent of each side includes of 40 personnel every. The Japanese contingent is being represented by troops from the thirty fourth Infantry Regiment and Indian Army contingent is being represented by a Battalion from the Rajputana Rifles.

Aim of the Exercise is to foster Military Cooperation and improve mixed capabilities to execute joint operations in semi-urban atmosphere below Chapter VII of United Nations Charter. The Exercise would deal with excessive diploma of bodily health, joint planning, joint tactical drills and fundamentals of particular arms abilities.

Tactical drills to be practiced throughout the Exercise will embody establishing of Temporary Operating Base, creating an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Grid, organising Mobile Vehicle Check Post, executing Cordon and Search Operations in a hostile village, Heliborne operations and House Intervention Drills.

A Weapon and Equipment Display will even be organised showcasing ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative and the rising defence industrial functionality of the nation.

Lieutenant General Togashi Yuichi, Commanding General, Eastern Army, Japan Ground Self Defence Force can also be scheduled to go to India on the sidelines of “Exercise Dharma Guardian”.

The General officer will go to Mahajan Field Firing Ranges on third March 2024 and witness Combat Shooting demonstration, Special Heliborne Operation (SHBO) & House Intervention Drills.

Exercise ‘Dharma Guardian’ will allow the 2 sides to share their finest practices in Tactics, Techniques and Procedures of conducting tactical operations.

The Exercise will even facilitate creating inter-operability, bonhomie and camaraderie between troops of each the edges.

This will improve the extent of defence cooperation, additional fostering bilateral relations between the 2 pleasant nations.