Defense: India-Japan Joint Military Exercise

Defence Exercises

• India-Japan Joint Military Exercise Dharma Guardian: Conducted from February 25 to March 9, 2024, at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan, with 40 personnel from each country.
• The exercise aimed to foster military cooperation, enhance combined capabilities, and promote interoperability in semi-urban environments.
• Focus areas included physical fitness, joint planning, joint tactical drills, and special arms skills.

India-US Joint Exercise Tiger Triumph-24

• Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise: Held from March 18-31, 2024, on the Eastern Seaboard, showcasing the robust partnership between India and the United States.
• The exercise involved harbour and sea phases, with various activities, including training visits, subject matter expert exchanges, sports events, and social interactions.
• The primary objective was to enhance interoperability for conducting HADR operations.

India-Malaysia Joint Maritime Exercise Samudra Laksamana

• Third edition of the exercise: Held from February 28 to March 2, 2024, in Visakhapatnam, with Indian Naval Ship Kiltan and Royal Malaysian Ship KD Lekir participating.
• The exercise focused on harbour professional interactions, followed by the operational phase at sea.

India-Seychelles Joint Military Exercise LAMITIYE-2024

• Tenth edition of the exercise: Held from March 18-27, 2024, in Seychelles, with 45 personnel from each side participating.
• The exercise focused on bolstering interoperability in sub-conventional operations within semi-urban environments, aligning with Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.

China, Iran, and Russia Joint Exercise Security Belt-2024

• Joint maritime exercise: Held from March 11-15, 2024, at the Iranian Port Chabahar, near the Gulf of Oman.
• The exercise aimed to maintain regional maritime security, focusing on anti-piracy and search and rescue operations.

India-US Coast Guard Joint Exercise Sea Defenders-2024

• Comprehensive maritime security exercise: Concluded on March 9, 2024, at Port Blair, with the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) participating.
• The exercise aimed to enhance maritime cooperation and interoperability, showcasing expertise in various scenarios, including pollution response, visit board search and seizure, and search and rescue exercises.

Other Defence-related Developments

• Launch of Two Navy Anti-Submarine Warships Agray and Akshay: Launched on March 13, 2024, at M/S GRSE, Kolkata, with approximately 80% indigenous content.
• Tri-Services Fire and Manoeuvre Exercise Bharat Shakti: Held on March 12, 2024, at the Army's Pokhran range in Rajasthan, showcasing indigenous defence capabilities and integration among the three forces.
• New Indian Naval Base INS Jatayu: Commissioned on March 6, 2024, at Minicoy Island (Lakshadweep), enhancing security infrastructure and operational capabilities in the region.
• First Apache Helicopter Unit in Jodhpur: Raised on March 14, 2024, near the Pakistan border, enhancing the Indian Army's aerial firepower and combat capabilities.