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AUSTRAHIND 2026: 5th India-Australia joint military exercise begins at Thiruvananthapuram (19 October-1 November 2026)

📅 19 October 2026 📍 India › Kerala Important

The 5th edition of the India-Australia Joint Military Exercise AUSTRAHIND 2026 began on 19 October 2026 at the Foreign Training Node, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, and will run till 1 November 2026.

Summary

Exercise AUSTRAHIND 2026, the 5th edition of the India-Australia joint military exercise, began at the Foreign Training Node, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on 19 October 2026 and will continue till 1 November 2026. About 120 personnel each from the Indian Army (troops from the Garhwal Rifles) and the Australian Army (13 Brigade) are taking part. The theme is 'Joint Sub-Conventional Operations in Island and Coastal Environment under Chapter VII of the UN Mandate', and for the first time an observer delegation from New Zealand is participating. The 4th edition was held at Irwin Barracks, Perth, Australia, from 13 to 26 October 2025.

Key facts

Exercise: AUSTRAHIND 2026 (5th edition)
Countries: India and Australia
Venue: Foreign Training Node, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Dates: 19 October-1 November 2026
Troops: About 120 each; Indian Army: Garhwal Rifles; Australian Army: 13 Brigade
Theme: Joint Sub-Conventional Operations in Island and Coastal Environment under Chapter VII of the UN Mandate
First: Observer delegation from New Zealand
4th edition: Irwin Barracks, Perth, 13-26 October 2025
Static GK: UN Charter Chapter VII (Articles 39-51): action with respect to threats to the peace, breaches of the peace and acts of aggression

Practice MCQs 3 questions

Where did the 5th edition of the India-Australia Joint Military Exercise AUSTRAHIND begin on 19 October 2026?

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Correct answer: A — Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

PIB: AUSTRAHIND 2026 commenced at the Foreign Training Node, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on 19 October 2026.

Q2 Advanced

Troops from which regiment form the Indian Army contingent at Exercise AUSTRAHIND 2026?

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Correct answer: B — Garhwal Rifles

PIB: The Indian Army contingent comprises troops from the Garhwal Rifles, while the Australian Army contingent is from 13 Brigade.

Q3 Advanced

Consider the following statements about Exercise AUSTRAHIND 2026: 1. Its theme refers to operations under Chapter VII of the UN mandate; Chapter VII of the UN Charter covers action with respect to threats to the peace, breaches of the peace and acts of aggression. 2. An observer delegation from New Zealand is participating in the exercise for the first time. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2

PIB: The theme is 'Joint Sub-Conventional Operations in Island and Coastal Environment under Chapter VII of the UN Mandate', and as a first a New Zealand observer delegation is participating. UN: Chapter VII (Articles 39-51) is titled 'Action with Respect to Threats to the Peace, Breaches of the Peace, and Acts of Aggression'. So both statements are correct.