NEW DELHI: India and Japan on Friday will kick off an exercise in between their armies to develop their warfare abilities and enhance interoperability, which comes right after the 2 nations conducted their first-ever joint air battle drills last month with an eye securely on China.The exercise Dharma Guardian at Camp Imazu in Shiga province of Japan from February 17 to March 2 will focus on platoon-level operations in jungle, semi-urban and urban surfaces.

Dharma Guardian, which is being performed for the 4th time, is vital and substantial in regards to security difficulties faced by both countries in the background of the existing global scenario, an officer stated on Thursday.

India has sent out a contingent from the Garhwal Rifles program for the exercise, while Japan is fielding the Middle Army of the Japanese Ground Self Defence Force.

The exercise will enable the 2 armies to share best practices in techniques, strategies and treatments of conducting tactical operations under a UN Mandate, in addition to developing interoperability, bonhomie, sociability and friendship in between the two forces, he added.The 2 contingents will take part in a variety of objectives, varying from joint preparation, tactical drills, essentials of establishing integrated surveillance grids, including employment of aerial possessions.

India and Japan had actually conducted the inaugural edition of the Veer Guardian air battle exercise at the Hyakuri and Iruma air bases in Japan over 16 days last month.IAF had actually taken part with four Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, two C-17 Globemaster-III tactical airlifters and one IL-78 mid-air refuelling airplane in the complex aerial manoeuvres that simulated several operational situations in both visual and beyond visual variety warfare settings.

India and Japan also routinely conduct the JIMEX series of workouts in between their navies as part of their broadening strategic partnership.

Given that 2015, Japan has likewise end up being a regular individual in the first-class India-US Malabar naval combat workout, which now likewise includes Australia.

All these 4 Quad nations have openly declared their intent to hinder any browbeating in the Indo-Pacific in the face of Chinas expansionist behaviour.India and Japan have actually also operationalised their military Reciprocal Provision of Supply and Services Agreement.

India has such mutual military logistics pact with nations like the US, Australia, France, South Korea and Singapore.In September, 2022, India and Japan conducted a two-plus-two defence and foreign ministerial discussion that stressed their crucial role in making sure a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific.

The two nations had also decided to boost their maritime cooperation and military logistics pact, while expanding the scope of bilateral defence-industrial collaboration to establish innovative weapon systems.