India-Japan military drill starts in Rajasthan

New Delhi, February 25

The fifth edition of joint military exercise ‘Dharma Guardian’ between Indian and Japanese land forces commenced at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan. The two-week drill is an annual exercise conducted alternatively in India and Japan.

Each contingent comprised 40 personnel. The Japanese contingent is being represented by troops from the 34th Infantry Regiment and the one from the Indian Army is being represented by a battalion from the Rajputana Rifles.

The aim of the exercise is to foster military cooperation and enhance combined capabilities to execute joint operations in semi-urban environment under the United Nations Charter. The event would focus on high degree of physical fitness, joint planning, joint tactical drills and basics of special arms skills. Tactical drills to be practised during the exercise will include establishing temporary operating base; creating an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance grid; setting up a mobile vehicle checkpost; executing cordon and search operations in a ‘hostile village’; and carrying out helicopter-borne operations.

Lt General Togashi Yuichi, Commanding General, Eastern Army, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, is also scheduled to visit India.