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.
| Summary/Static | Details |
| Why in the news? | 5th edition of the Vietnam-India Bilateral Army Exercise, “VINBAX 2024”, began. |
| Place | Ambala and Chandimandir |
| Aim | VINBAX 2024 is to improve joint military capabilities, focusing on deployment of engineer units and medical teams. |
| Vietnam | Capital – Hanoi President – Luong Cuong Prime Minister – Pham Minh Chinh Currency – Vietnamese Dong |