India-Vietnam Joint Military Exercise Begins in Ambala

The 5th edition of the Vietnam-India Bilateral Army Exercise, “VINBAX 2024,” began on Monday at Ambala. Scheduled from November 4 to 23, the exercise will take place at both Ambala and Chandimandir, aiming to strengthen military cooperation and interoperability between the two nations.

Exercise Details

• VINBAX 2024 will be conducted as a field training exercise, expanding on the scope of previous editions.
• The exercise follows the last bilateral exercise held in Vietnam in 2023, enhancing India-Vietnam defense ties.
• For the first time, VINBAX includes participation at a bi-service level, with personnel from both the Army and Air Force of each country.

Contingent Composition

• The Indian Army contingent consists of 47 personnel from a Corps of Engineers Regiment, along with representatives from other arms and services.
• The Vietnamese contingent will include a similar strength of troops from the Vietnam People’s Army.

Exercise Goals

• The primary aim of VINBAX 2024 is to improve joint military capabilities, focusing on deployment of engineer units and medical teams.
• Training focuses on United Nations peacekeeping operations, particularly under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, involving engineering tasks and medical support.

Key Activities

• A 48-hour validation exercise will take place, showcasing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) capabilities.
• An equipment display will accompany the validation exercise to assess technical operations standards in simulated UN mission scenarios.
• This segment will also emphasize technical and operational collaboration between both armies in humanitarian scenarios.

Cultural Exchange and Collaboration

• The exercise provides an opportunity for personnel from both countries to learn about each other’s social and cultural heritage, fostering mutual understanding.

Significance of VINBAX 2024

• This edition represents a milestone in India-Vietnam defense relations, emphasizing interoperability and best practices.
• Enhanced engagement and field-level collaboration aim to strengthen trust and familiarity, supporting broader peacekeeping and HADR objectives.

VINBAX

• Exercise VINBAX was instituted in 2018 and the first edition was conducted at Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.
• It is an annual training event conducted alternatively in India and Vietnam.

Aim

• The exercise is to foster collaborative partnership, promote inter- operability and share best practices between the two sides under Chapter VII of United Nations Charter on Peacekeeping Operations.
• The exercise will be conducted as a Command Post Exercise cum Field Training Exercise with focus on deployment and employment of an Engineer Company and a Medical Team.
• Ideas will be exchanged on modern methods to construct roads, culverts, helipads, ammunition shelter and observation posts in operational areas.