India Japan joint training exercise "Dharma Guardian" to begin at Camp Imazu in Shiga Prefecture, Japan

Tags: Defence International News

The 4th edition of the joint military exercise between India and Japan, "X Dharma Guardians" will be conducted from 17 February to 2 March 2023 at Camp Imazu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan.

An overview of the news

• Soldiers from the Garhwal Rifles Regiment of the Indian Army and an infantry regiment from the Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) are participating in the exercise this year.

• They will share experiences gained during operations in order to enhance inter-operability in planning and execution.

• The Indian Army contingent reached the exercise site on 12 February 2023.

Focus area of training

• The training will mainly focus on high level of physical fitness and sharing of exercises at tactical level.

• During the exercise, the participants will engage in various missions including joint planning, joint tactical exercise, integrated surveillance grid.

• The joint exercise will help both the armies to know each other better, share their vast experiences and enhance situational awareness.

What is Exercise Dharma Guardian?

• It is an annual joint military exercise conducted between India and Japan since 2018.

• It aims to share experience gained during various Counter Terrorism Operations in respective Countries.

• The exercise assumes immense significance in the context of the security challenges faced by both the countries in the backdrop of the current global situation.

• The scope of the exercise includes platoon level joint training on operations in jungle and semi-urban/urban terrain.

Other Exercises Between India and Japan

• SHINYU Maitri - A bilateral exercise between the Indian Air Force and the Japanese Air Self Defense Force (JASDF).

• JIMEX- A bilateral maritime exercise between India and Japan.

• Sahyog-Kaijin- Joint Bilateral Exercise between Indian Coast Guard and Japan Coast Guard.