AUSTRAHIND 2026: Australian High Commissioner Philip Green Witnesses Joint Combat Drills in Kerala
Philip Green visits the India-Australia AUSTRAHIND 2026 exercise in Kerala, emphasizing security ties and a free Indo-Pacific.
In a significant move to bolster strategic ties, the Australian High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, visited the ongoing AUSTRAHIND 2026 military exercise in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on Sunday. The visit underscores the deepening security partnership between the two nations as they work together to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
Strategic Significance and Security Ties
During his visit, High Commissioner Green highlighted India's pivotal role as a key security partner. He specifically pointed to the eastern Indian Ocean as a critical strategic link connecting Australia and India. Emphasizing the need for closer defence cooperation, Green noted that joint efforts are essential to tackle emerging multi-domain security challenges.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Green shared his experience visiting the 120 members of the Australian Army's 13th Brigade. He wrote, "As we deepen our strategic partnership, the links between the Australian and Indian armies become more consequential. I visited the 120 members of 13th Brigade undertaking Ex #AUSTRAHIND in #Keralam today. Train to fight - train to win."
Intense Combat Training in Diverse Terrains
The fifth edition of AUSTRAHIND 2026 is not just a routine drill; it is a rigorous combat training program designed for challenging environments. Indian and Australian personnel are currently engaging in joint operations across jungle, island, and coastal terrains. The training includes high-intensity activities such as:
- Combat swimming and static slithering
- Ambush drills and tactical maneuvers
- Drone manoeuvring and surveillance
- Physical training and operational coordination
The exercise, which began on October 19 at the Foreign Training Node in Thiruvananthapuram and runs until November 1, involves approximately 120 personnel from each army. The Indian contingent features troops from the Garhwal Rifles and other services, while Australia is represented by the 13th Brigade.
The Mission: UN Mandate and Coastal Security
This year's exercise is conducted under the theme “Joint Sub-Conventional Operations in Island and Coastal Environment under Chapter VII of the UN Mandate.” The primary objective is to establish a shared understanding of the tactics, techniques, and procedures required for operations in coastal and island settings.
The training encompasses several critical operational dimensions, including:
- Joint planning and tactical drills under realistic combat conditions.
- Integration of aerial and maritime dimensions into land operations.
- Protection of vital installations and advanced reconnaissance.
- Responses to Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) contingencies.
Expanding Horizons: New Zealand Joins as Observer
In a notable addition to this edition, AUSTRAHIND 2026 has welcomed an observer delegation from New Zealand for the first time. This adds a new layer of international cooperation to the bilateral exercise, expanding the scope of regional military engagement.
This follows the fourth edition of the exercise, which took place from October 13 to 26, 2025, at the Irwin Barracks in Perth, Australia. According to the Ministry of Defence, the ongoing drills in Kerala are expected to further enhance operational interoperability, mutual trust, and the shared commitment to peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific.