Australian Army Chief to visit India this month amid deepening Indo-Pacific military ties
His visit comes only four months after India's Chief of Defence Staff travelled to Australia, where he held high-level meetings with Admiral David Johnston, Australia's Chief of Defence Force, and the Chiefs of Staff Committee. The deliberations focused on strengthening military cooperation, with emphasis on maritime security in the Indo-Pacific, joint exercises, capacity building, defence technology exchange, and new bilateral initiatives.
According to Army sources, this visit is of strategic significance, reaffirming the growing depth of the India–Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, particularly in the military domain, as both nations work to uphold a stable and rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.
India and Australia had earlier held the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in New Delhi in November 2023, and the next edition is scheduled in Australia in 2025, showcasing regular high-level dialogue between the two nations.
The Defence Policy Talks, held in July 2023 in Australia, had provided a timely platform for reviewing ongoing collaboration and identifying new areas for joint initiatives, the sources said, adding that these dialogues, along with working groups and staff-level talks, continue to drive forward-looking cooperation in capability development, logistics, interoperability, and strategic posturing in the Indo-Pacific.
'From this robust foundation, the Indian Army–Australian Army bilateral engagement has emerged as a key pillar in the growing military partnership,' a source said.
Both the armies have seen a growing operational cooperation between the Indian Army and the Australian Army, which was marked by increasing complexity, scale, and strategic relevance of joint exercises and deployments.
'Exercise AUSTRAHIND, launched in 2016, remains the flagship bilateral field training exercise between the two Armies. Focused on counter-terrorism, close-quarter battle, and joint tactical operations, it has seen active participation from Indian Army, alongside Australia's 1st Brigade,' the sources said, adding that the next edition is scheduled in Australia in November 2025, further strengthening interoperability under realistic terrain scenarios.
The Army has also been an active participant in Exercise Talisman Sabre, a multinational exercise hosted by Australia. The Indo-Pacific Endeavour (IPE-22) also witnessed significant engagement by the Indian Army, where both sides conducted joint professional exchanges and field discussions on HADR, jungle warfare, and counter-terrorism operations.
Sources said that on the training and institutional cooperation front, the two Armies have maintained a consistent exchange through premier military courses and academic programmes.
'Indian Army officers regularly participate in Australian courses such as the Australian Defence and Strategic Studies Course, Army Command and Staff Course, and the Combined Defence Intelligence and Research Analysis Course,' a source said, adding that Australian officers are nominated for Indian institutions including the National Defence College (NDC), Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), and the Higher Defence Orientation Course (HDOC).
'An Instructor Exchange Programme conducted at the Indian Army's Counter-Insurgency and Jungle Warfare (CIJW) School, Vairengte, further deepened tactical and instructional integration,' the sources said, adding that regular Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs) have enriched doctrinal understanding and contributed to enhanced interoperability between the two forces.
Another initiative was the India–Australia Young Officers Exchange Programme, conceptualized by late General Bipin Rawat and launched during the 2022 Prime Minister-level virtual summit.
'This initiative allows young officers from both Armies to train together, experience field environments, and understand each other's operational ethos an investment in future leadership synergy,' an officer said.
Sources said the Army-to-Army Staff Talks, first initiated in 2010, have evolved from a biennial to an annual engagement since 2016, reflecting the growing frequency and significance of operational dialogue.
'This platform also serves as a vital forum for discussing bilateral strategic issues, enhancing mutual understanding and coordination on matters of regional and global relevance,' they added.
Moreover, Indian firms have exported key platforms to Australia in significant amounts, showcasing indigenous capabilities in tactical ISR, mobility, and protected systems.
Collaboration between the Army Design Bureau and Australia's Digger Works is being explored to jointly develop combat-tested, cost-effective solutions suited to contemporary battlefield needs.
'Lieutenant General Simon Stuart's visit to India reflects the Indian Army's rising profile as a credible partner in the Indo-Pacific and its commitment to shaping collective preparedness through meaningful cooperation,' a source said, adding that this visit is expected to consolidate operational synergy and strategic trust—laying the groundwork for the next phase of Army-to-Army collaboration in the region.
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