IndoBritish joint army training concludes
Mechanised Infantry troops of the Indian Army carried out joint training and exercises with the UK Army which proved to be a golden opportunity to both armies to train together.
After the stellar show of aerial skills by the Indian Air Force (IAF) at the US Red Flag exercise, it was the turn of the Indian Army to receive accolades from its British counterpart on the conclusion of their month-long, first joint training-cum-exercise in mechanized operations.
The exercise, which took place Aug 27-Sep 26, is the reciprocal engagement of an earlier exercise carried out in the high-altitude areas of India last year between Indian paratroopers and the Royal Marines.
“Mechanised Infantry troops of the Indian Army carried out joint training and exercises with the UK Army which proved to be a golden opportunity to both armies to train together and gain from each others experience,” an army official said.
According to the official, the drills and procedures of the Indian contingent drew accolades from the British Commandant of the Collective Training Group Col. James Stoppford.
The Indian contingent comprised of 126 personnel of all ranks from the 16 Mechanised Infantry Regiment while the British troops were from the Third Mercian Regiment, an amalgamation of old British Army units that had served in India in the mid-19th century.
Indian Army chief Gen. Deepak Kapoor witnessed the joint maneuvers at the Land Warfare Centre during his visit to Britain this month.
“The interaction is also expected to increase inter-operability between the Armed Forces of the two countries and is in tune with India's increasing role and influence on the world stage,” the official added.
The training at the battalion-group level concluded with the two joint operational manoeuvres, "Exercise Lions Strike" and "Exercise Wessex Warriors".