New Delhi: The seventh edition of the joint military exercise ‘DHARMA GUARDIAN’ between the Indian Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force commenced on Tuesday at the Foreign Training Node in Chaubattia, Uttarakhand.
The exercise will be conducted from February 24 to March 9.
This year’s drill features 120 personnel from each country, according to an official statement. The Japanese contingent is represented by troops from the 32nd Infantry Regiment, while the Indian side has deployed soldiers from the Ladakh Scouts.
Held alternately in India and Japan, the exercise continues to serve as an important component of defence cooperation between the two nations.
Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN is designed to deepen military ties and improve the ability of both forces to operate together in semi-urban environments. During the two-week engagement, troops will work on enhancing physical endurance, strengthening joint planning mechanisms, and aligning tactical procedures.
The training framework also integrates modern technologies to boost interoperability and address evolving operational challenges.
As part of the drill, participating forces will establish a Temporary Operating Base and develop an Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance grid to enhance situational awareness.
They will also set up mobile vehicle check posts and carry out cordon and search operations in simulated hostile settings. The exercise further includes heliborne missions and specialised house intervention drills, aimed at sharpening coordination and response capabilities in complex scenarios.
