JOINT FIELD TRAINING EXERCISE BETWEEN INDIAN AND AFRICAN ARMIES BEING CONDUCTED AT PUNE FROM 18 TO 27 MARCH 2019
Africa – India Joint Field Training Exercise (AFINDEX-19) between Indian Army and 16 African nations will be conducted at Pune from 18 to 27 Mar 2019. Ten personnel each from the participating nations from the African Continent and personnel of MARATHA Light Infantry of Indian Army will participate in this ten days joint training exercise which will be conducted at two locations in Pune i.e. Foreign Training Node at Aundh Military Station and College of Military Engineering, Kirkee. The aim of the exercise is to train the participating contingents in Humanitarian Mine Assistance (HMA) and Peace Keeping Operations (PKO) under the United Nations Charter. In addition to the participating nations from the African Continent, there are officers from Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Madagascar who would also be attending the Exercise as Observers.
The joint exercise focuses on incorporating the current dynamics of United Nations Peace Keeping Operations through practical and comprehensive discussions and tactical exercises. The Exercise will focus on achieving interoperability, learning each other’s methodologies and tactics through synchronised operational level planning and tactical level training.
The Exercise will cover the dynamics of raising a Mission Headquarters, nuances ofestablishing a Military observer team sites in disturbed areas requiring United Nations Peace Keeping Force. Tactical aspects of various tasks to be undertaken by the peace keeping force which includes protection of civilians, establishment of a standing combat deployment, convoy protection, aspects of patrolling and understanding rules of engagements under Chapter VII of United Nations Charter for Peace Keeping missions will also be covered.
The nuances of Humanitarian Mine Assistance being covered will include establishment & functioning of Mine Action Teams (MAC), identification and survey of contaminated areas and mechanical / manual demining techniques.
An equipment display of all indigenously developed defence related equipment is also planned on 26 & 27 Mar 19 during the Exercise under the aegis of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FICCI) at the Foreign Training Node, Aundh. Major players from both the civil and defence industry will establish stalls and showcase their military hardware in an attempt to globalise the indigenous defence products.
The Joint Field Training Exercise will greatly facilitate sharing of our Armed Forces experiences in UN Peace Keeping Operations with countries in Africa and shall significantly enhance relations with the African Continent.
