The seventh edition of the India-Uzbekistan joint military exercise ‘Dustlik’ wrapped up with a final validation exercise and closing ceremony at the Gurumsaray Field Training Area in Namangam. This exercise aimed to enhance military cooperation and improve interoperability between the Indian Army and the Armed Forces of Uzbekistan.
Exercise Dustlik, conducted alternately in India and Uzbekistan, focused on joint operations to combat unlawful armed groups and exchange best practices in counter-terrorism. The Indian Armed Forces contingent, consisting of 60 personnel, included representatives from the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force. The Uzbekistan contingent also comprised around 60 personnel from the Uzbekistan Army and Air Force.
The exercise emphasized fostering military cooperation, enhancing combined capabilities for joint operations in semi-mountainous terrain, and focusing on physical fitness, joint planning, and special arms skills. It aimed to establish a unified operational algorithm between the command-and-control structures of both contingents for planning and executing joint operations.
Exercise Dustlik facilitated the sharing of best practices in conducting joint operations, strengthening interoperability, operational synergy, and joint command and control coordination between the two contingents. It also promoted camaraderie between soldiers of both countries, enhancing defense cooperation and bilateral relations.
The joint training concluded with a 48-hour validation exercise to validate tactical drills for joint operations, emphasizing the preparation and execution of joint special operations to neutralize unlawful armed groups.
