What happened
On October 4, 2025, the Indian Army announced that the fourth edition of the bilateral military exercise AUSTRAHIND 2025 will be held from October 13 to 26 at Irwin Barracks in Perth, Australia. The exercise aims to strengthen operational capabilities and enhance interoperability between the two armies through joint company-level operations in urban and semi-urban terrain under a United Nations mandate.
Why it matters to India
The exercise reflects India’s growing defence cooperation with Australia, a key partner in the Indo-Pacific. It enhances tactical coordination, joint readiness, and mutual trust between the two militaries—critical for maintaining regional stability. Conducted alternately in both countries, AUSTRAHIND also underscores India’s commitment to peacekeeping and multilateral security efforts under the UN framework.