In News:

The 5th Edition of Vietnam Indian Bilateral Army Exercise “VINBAX 2024” had commenced at Ambala.

Key Participants

• Indian Army: A contingent of 47 personnel from the Corps of Engineers, along with personnel from other arms and services.
• Vietnam People's Army: A similar-sized contingent representing Vietnam's military forces.
• Bi-Service Participation: For the first time, personnel from both Army and Air Force of India and Vietnam are participating.

Objectives of VINBAX 2024

• Joint Military Capability Enhancement:
  • Focus on enhancing joint military capabilities of both countries, specifically in the deployment of Engineer Companies and Medical Teams.
• Peacekeeping Operations (UN Context):
  • The exercise prepares both sides for United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (PKO), under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which deals with peace enforcement actions.
• Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR):
  • The exercise includes a 48-hour validation exercise with demonstrations of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
  • The HADR component will include equipment displays to assess the technical standards of both contingents while executing disaster relief and humanitarian missions in peacekeeping contexts.

Key Activities & Events

• Field Training Exercise: The exercise includes a field training component, with a larger scope than previous editions, focusing on:
  • Engineer Tasks.
  • Medical Support.
  • Disaster Relief Operations.
• Validation Exercise: A critical 48-hour validation exercise to test the preparedness of the two forces in providing HADR, including:
  • Demonstrations of disaster relief operations.
  • Equipment displays to showcase capabilities in managing and executing peacekeeping and humanitarian operations.
• Cultural Exchange: The exercise will also provide an opportunity for cultural exchange, where the troops will learn about the social and cultural heritage of each other.

Background of VINBAX

• Inception: VINBAX was first conducted in 2018 as part of the growing defense cooperation between India and Vietnam. The inaugural edition took place in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.
• Alternating Locations: The exercise alternates between India and Vietnam every year.
• Previous Editions:
  • 2023 Edition: Held in Vietnam.
  • Current Edition: This is the 5th edition, conducted in India (Ambala and Chandimandir).

Indian Defense Engagements in Southeast Asia

• India-Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise (Garud Shakti 2024): Held from November 1-12, 2024, in Cijantung, Jakarta, strengthening ties with Indonesian special forces.
• Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX 2024): Held from October 23-29, 2024, in Visakhapatnam, focusing on maritime security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.