EXERCISE FORCE -18”, LARGEST MULTINATIONAL
EXERCISE CULMINATES
“Exercise Force -18”, the largest ground forces multinational field training exercise on ‘Humanitarian Mine Action and Peacekeeping Operations’ culminated at Pune with a closing ceremony which was presided over by General Dalbir Singh, Chief of Army Staff. The week long exercise witnessed participation of over 300 foreign participants and observers from ASEAN Plus countries.
The closing ceremony began with marching in of contingents from the participating ASEAN Plus countries followed by National Anthem and ASEAN Anthem. The Chief of Army Staff handed over plaques to all contingent commanders of foreign armies and also gave away Award of Excellence to the best performers in the exercise. Chief of Army Staff later delivered his closing address and reiterated the need to collectively address the issues of Mine Menace and role of peacekeepers in maintaining harmony and stability in the effected nations.
Senior dignitaries from the participating countries including Deputy Chief of General Staff Vietnam Army, Senior Lieutenant General Vo Van Tuan also attended the closing ceremony. The event was then followed by speech by co-chairs from Vietnam, South Korea and India.
Indian Army later displayed combat deployment of Special Forces using Indian origin Helicopters DHRUV. The participants later witnessed the Equipment display by Indian Army, DRDO, Private and Public Sector Units and NGOs.
