The fifth edition of the India-Australia joint military exercise, AUSTRAHIND 2026, is currently in progress at the Foreign Training Node in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The 14-day exercise has started on October 19 and will end on November 1, and will bring together soldiers from both countries to train in island and coastal regions at sea and in the air.
The exercise will help strengthen military cooperation which will also help in operational coordination between the two armies as well as a common understanding of tactics to deal with challenging terrain. It is part of the emerging defence collaboration between India and Australia.
Around 240 Personnel Take Part
There are about 120 personnel from each country participating in the exercise. The Indian Army comprises Garhwal Rifles troops and personnel from other arms and services. Australia is represented by the 13th Brigade of the Army.
The notable feature of this year's edition is the participation of the observer delegation from New Zealand for the first time. The presence of the delegation adds a regional dimension to the exercise, although AUSTRAHIND is a bilateral military exercise between India and Australia.
Focus on Coastal and Island Warfare
The official theme of AUSTRAHIND 2026 is “Joint Sub-Conventional Operations in Island and Coastal Environment under Chapter VII of the UN Mandate.”
The training programme includes joint planning, tactical drills and combat-oriented activities under realistic operational conditions. According to reports, soldiers are also doing activities such as combat swimming, ambush drills, static slithering and drone manoeuvring.
The exercise includes aerial and sea-based aspects to enable troops to work together in coastal and island environments. Other focus areas are surveillance and reconnaissance, security of vital installations and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
Such activities enable soldiers to exchange professional experiences, carry out common procedures and to be able to coordinate during high-level missions.
The 14-day Exercise AUSTRAHIND 2026, being conducted from 19 October to 01 November, brings together troops from the Indian Army’s The Garhwal Rifles and Australia’s 13th Infantry Brigade. Troops from both armies are undertaking intensive training across jungle, island and coastal terrain, including physical conditioning, counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism drills, combat swimming and drone manoeuvring. The exercise aims to enhance combat readiness, tactical coordination and interoperability, while strengthening mutual trust and the enduring India-Australia defence partnership.
— ANI (@ANI) October 25, 2026
Strengthening India-Australia Defence Ties
AUSTRAHIND is designed to improve interoperability, joint planning and mutual understanding between the Indian and Australian armies. Training together helps personnel become familiar with each other’s operating methods and develop the coordination required for combined missions.
The exercise is also reflective of the countries’ common interest in peace, stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region. Practical military exchanges create the basis for trust and good professional relations between the participating forces.
Previous Edition Was Held in Australia
The fourth edition of AUSTRAHIND took place at Irwin Barracks in Perth, Australia, from October 13 to October 26, 2025. India and Australia conduct the exercise in parallel so that in different locations and operational situations the two countries can conduct joint training.
The 2026 edition continues that cooperation in Kerala, with participating troops scheduled to train until November 1.
As the exercise progresses, its ultimate aim remains to strengthen military coordination and develop a common understanding of operations in coastal and island terrain. The New Zealand observers are also included in this year’s programme for the first time.
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