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.

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