The 6th edition of India- Uzbekistan Joint Military Exercise DUSTLIK-VI commenced today, at Foreign Training Node, Aundh (Pune). The Exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 16 to 28 Apr 2025.
India-Uzbekistan Joint Military Exercise DUSTLIK-VI
🔹 Exercise Details
- 6th edition of Joint Military Exercise DUSTLIK-VI commenced on 16th April 2025.
- Being held at the Foreign Training Node, Aundh (Pune).
- The exercise will run from 16 to 28 April 2025.
🔹 Participating Contingents
- India: 60 personnel represented by a Battalion of the JAT Regiment and the Indian Air Force (IAF).
- Uzbekistan: Troops from the Uzbekistan Army.
- The exercise is an annual event, alternately held in India and Uzbekistan.
- The previous edition took place in Termez District, Uzbekistan in April 2024.
🔹 Exercise Theme and Objectives
- Theme: Joint Multi-Domain Sub-Conventional Operations in a Semi-Urban Scenario.
- Focused on:
- Counterterrorism operations in captured territories.
- Joint Operations Centre setup at battalion level.
- Population control, raids, search-and-destroy missions.
- Use of air assets and firepower to neutralize threats.
🔹 Air and Special Operations Involvement
- Special Forces from Army and Air Force will:
- Secure helipads as mounting bases.
- Conduct Special Heliborne Operations (SHBO).
- Execute Small Team Insertion and Extraction (STIE).
- Use of:
- Drones and counter-UAS systems.
- Logistics support from IAF.
- Helicopters for reconnaissance, observation, and operations.
🔹 Strategic Significance
- Enhances:
- Inter-operability between both armed forces.
- Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) sharing.
- Defence cooperation and bilateral ties.
- Strengthens military camaraderie and mutual trust between India and Uzbekistan.
