New Delhi: India and Australia showcased enhanced interoperability and joint operational capabilities on Saturday during a joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) training in coastal terrain as part of Exercise AUSTRAHIND 2026 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, IANS reported. The drill is a later phase of the exercise, which commenced on October 19 and runs until November 1.

Source: IANS

During the exercise, the Indian Navy's INS Sharda and a Sea King helicopter, in coordination with the Indian and Australian armies, carried out a swift ship-to-shore troop insertion, demonstrating the seamless integration of land, sea and air capabilities, NationPress reported.

Source: NationPress

Sharing the details in a post on X on Saturday, the Indian Navy's Southern Naval Command said: "During AUSTRAHIND2026 at Thiruvananthapuram, Indian Navy's INS Sharda and Sea King helicopter, in close coordination with the Indian Army and Australian Army, executed a swift ship-to-shore troop insertion as part of joint HADR training in coastal terrain."

Source: IANS

5th editionAUSTRAHIND, India-Australia joint exercise
Oct 19 – Nov 1, 2026Exercise dates, Thiruvananthapuram
~120 eachIndian and Australian Army personnel
INS Sharda + Sea KingShip-to-shore insertion assets

The fifth edition of AUSTRAHIND commenced on October 19 at the Foreign Training Node, Thiruvananthapuram, with a focus on coordinated operations in coastal and island environments, surveillance and reconnaissance, the Ministry of Defence said. About 120 personnel each from the Indian Army and the Australian Army are taking part, NewKerala reported.

Source: NewKerala

Australian High Commissioner to India Philip Green posted on X about the exercise, and earlier this week Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles on the sidelines of the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in the Philippines to review defence cooperation and military interoperability, IANS reported.

Source: IANS