The Indian Armed Forces contingent, consisting of 45 personnel, has arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam, to participate in the fourth edition of the Joint Military Exercise VINBAX-2023. This exercise is scheduled to take place in Hanoi, Vietnam, from December 11th to December 21st, 2023. Among the Indian contingent, 39 individuals belong to an Engineer Regiment of the Bengal Engineer Group, while the remaining six are from the Army Medical Corps. The Vietnam People’s Army is also sending a contingent of 45 personnel to participate in this exercise.
VINBAX, which was initiated in 2018, is an annual training event that alternates between India and Vietnam. The previous edition of the exercise took place at the Chandimandir Military Station in August 2022.
The primary objective of this exercise is to enhance collaborative partnership, promote interoperability, and share best practices between the two sides, in line with Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter on Peacekeeping Operations. The exercise will encompass a Command Post Exercise combined with Field Training Exercises, focusing on the deployment and utilization of an Engineer Company and a Medical Team.
This joint exercise will facilitate the exchange of ideas, with both contingents jointly rehearsing tactics, techniques, and procedures. Modern methods for constructing roads, culverts, helipads, ammunition shelters, and observation posts in operational areas will be discussed and practiced. Additionally, drills related to combat engineering and combat medical tasks will be conducted.
The culmination of the exercise will involve a Validation Exercise, during which the standards achieved by both contingents will be demonstrated. Technical military operations will be carried out by both sides, mirroring scenarios that resemble the worldwide deployment of United Nations contingents.
Overall, this joint exercise will contribute to fostering mutual understanding and interoperability between the two contingents and further strengthen defense cooperation between these friendly armies.
