India-Uzbekistan joint military exercise DUSTLIK-VI begins in Pune

New Delhi, Apr 16: The sixth edition of Exercise DUSTLIK, a joint military training initiative between India and Uzbekistan, commenced today at the Foreign Training Node in Aundh, Pune. Scheduled to run from April 16 to 28, 2025, the exercise aims to bolster bilateral military cooperation and enhance tactical interoperability. The Indian Army is participating with a 60-member contingent from a battalion of the JAT Regiment, supported by elements from the Indian Air Force. Uzbekistan is represented by troops from its national army.

The annual exercise is held alternately in both countries; last year’s edition took place in Uzbekistan’s Termez District in April 2024.

This year’s drill focuses on Joint Multi-Domain Sub-Conventional Operations in a Semi-Urban Scenario, simulating a counter-terrorism response to the seizure of a defined area by hostile elements. As part of the training, both sides will establish a joint operations centre at the battalion level to plan and execute coordinated missions. Key elements of the exercise include population control, targeted raids, search-and-destroy operations, and the use of aerial firepower. Special Forces from both the Army and the Air Force will conduct operations to secure a helipad, which will serve as a base for subsequent actions.

The training will also feature the deployment of drones, counter-unmanned aerial system (UAS) strategies, and logistical support to sustain troops in contested zones. Helicopters will be used for reconnaissance, observation, special heliborne operations (SHBO), and small team insertion and extraction missions (STIE), among other objectives. The joint exercise is expected to deepen military-to-military ties, foster camaraderie, and further strengthen defence cooperation between India and Uzbekistan.