AUSTRAHIND 2026 validation exercise brought the India-Australia joint military exercise to its close in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, with troops of both Armies carrying out 36 hours of continuous joint operations on Friday and Saturday.

The scenario was set under Chapter VI of the UN Charter.

Chapter VI covers the peaceful settlement of disputes. It is the setting in which traditional UN peacekeeping operations work, with the consent of the parties involved.

Troops secure beachheads and ports in 36-hour operation

According to the Indian Army, the AUSTRAHIND 2026 validation exercise covered jungle, island and coastal environments. Troops carried out sea and air insertions, secured beachheads and port facilities, and evacuated casualties. Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) tasks, protection of vital installations and Counter-Insurgency/Counter-Terrorism (CI/CT) operations were also part of the drill.

The 14-day exercise began on 19 October and concludes on Sunday.

Navy, IAF, Vizhinjam port and Kerala fire services join in

The Indian Army and the Australian Defence Force led the operation. Personnel and assets from the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force supported it, along with the Vizhinjam International Port Authority and Kerala Fire and Rescue Services. The Army said the validation showed effective multi-agency coordination and multi-domain operational synergy.

Vizhinjam International Seaport lies in Thiruvananthapuram district. It is the country's first deep-water transhipment port, and the project is implemented by Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited, a company fully owned by the Government of Kerala.

The Navy and the state fire services first joined the exercise earlier in the fortnight, for rescue and casualty evacuation drills.

Generals from India and Australia witness the validation

The validation was witnessed by Major General Matt Burr, AM, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division of the Australian Defence Force, and Major General Kapil Rana, SM, GOC 54 Infantry Division of the Indian Army. Commodore A J Dowling, New Zealand Defence Attaché to India and Australia, was also present.

New Zealand is attending AUSTRAHIND as an observer for the first time this year.

Garhwal Rifles and 13th Infantry Brigade fielded the troops

The Indian contingent is drawn from The Garhwal Rifles. Australia fielded troops from its 13th Infantry Brigade, with around 120 personnel from each side. In the first week, troops trained together in combat swimming, drone manoeuvring and counter-terrorism drills, before moving on to sea and air insertion.

AUSTRAHIND 2026 validation exercise follows amphibious push

This is the fifth edition of AUSTRAHIND. The fourth was held at Irwin Barracks in Perth from 13 to 26 October 2025, and the current edition began at the Foreign Training Node in Thiruvananthapuram.

In June, the joint statement from the second India-Australia Defence Ministers' Dialogue noted that AUSTRAHIND has moved towards amphibious combat and littoral manoeuvre.

The same statement provided for expanded Indian participation in Exercise Talisman Sabre in 2027.