In News:

The 6th edition of Exercise DUSTLIK, a bilateral joint military exercise between India and Uzbekistan, was recently held at the Foreign Training Node in Aundh, Pune. The previous edition (2024) was conducted in Termez, Uzbekistan.

Key Highlights:

• Exercise Theme: Joint Multi-Domain Sub-Conventional Operations in Semi-Urban Terrain.
• Aimed at simulating counter-terrorism operations, especially in scenarios involving territorial capture by terrorist groups.
• Indian contingent: 60 personnel from the JAT Regiment and the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• Uzbek contingent: Personnel from the Uzbekistan Army.

Core Activities:

• Establishment of a Joint Operations Centre at the battalion level.
• Execution of population control, raids, search-and-destroy operations.
• Use of air assets: drones, helicopters for reconnaissance, Special Heliborne Operations (SHBO), Small Team Insertion and Extraction (STIE).
• Focus on counter-UAS (unmanned aerial systems) measures and logistics support in hostile conditions.

Objectives:

• Enhance interoperability, tactical coordination, and operational synergy between the two armies.
• Promote defence cooperation and strengthen bilateral relations between India and Uzbekistan.
• Exchange of best practices in conducting joint sub-conventional operations.

About Uzbekistan:

• Doubly landlocked country in Central Asia, located between the Syr Darya and Amu Darya rivers.
• Borders: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan.