Prabal?Dostyk: India, Kazakhstan Army begin joint military exercise

Just days after the end of tri-services military exercise with Russia, the Indian Army began a fourteen-day joint military training exercise “Prabal Dostyk– 2017” with the Kazakhstan Army today.

The India-Kazakhstan joint exercise is aimed at enhancing interoperability between the two armies, the Indian army said in a statement.

The Indian contingent comprises of platoon strength of the 3rd battalion of the 11th Gorkha Rifles and a similar strength of the Kazakhstan Army. 

The two countries also aim to enhance military co-operation.

“The overall aim is to enhance the existing military relationship between the Indian Army and the Kazakhstan Army and achieve synergy for joint conduct of operations as and when the requirement arises,” the Army statement said.

Nearly 400 personnel of the Indian Army, Navy and the Air Force had recently taken part in a joint military exercise with Kazakhstan's neighbour Russia at the 249th Combined Army Range Sergeevisky and in the Sea of Japan near Vladivostok between October 19th to October 29th. 

Excercise INDRA marked a major milestone as it was upgraded to involve all the three services of the Armed forces. Apart from the military personnel, the Indian forces also displayed air and naval capability led by two IL 76 aircrafts and one frigate and a corvette.

The Russian Federation Armed Forces was represented by approximately 1,000 troops of the 5th Army, Marines and Ships of Pacific Fleet and aircraft from Eastern Military District.

India has been eager to extend its influence in the Asian arch including sea lanes in the Asia Pacific while conducting military drills. 

In July, India, Japan, and the US had conducted a week-long joint naval exercise in Malabar, realigning their common vision on the Indo-Pacific maritime security apparatus.

The exercise was conducted amid the standoff between India-China over the Doklam issue and Japan's growing anxiety over North Korea's missile tests.