Exercise DUSTLIK-VI

Exercise DUSTLIK-VI Latest News

Recently, the 6th edition of the India-Uzbekistan Joint Military Exercise DUSTLIK-VI officially commenced at the Foreign Training Node, Aundh (Pune).

About Exercise DUSTLIK-VI

• Exercise DUSTLIK is an annual bilateral military exercise conducted alternatively in India and Uzbekistan, with the previous edition (DUSTLIK-V) held in Termez District, Uzbekistan, in April 2024.
• The first edition was held in November 2019 in Uzbekistan, marking the beginning of a structured defence partnership.
• Participants and Representation
  • The Indian contingent consists of 60 personnel, including troops from a battalion of the JAT Regiment and the Indian Air Force (IAF).
  • The Uzbekistan contingent is represented by troops from the Uzbekistan Army, reflecting their ongoing military cooperation with India.

Theme and Focus of DUSTLIK-VI

• The central theme of DUSTLIK-VI is “Joint Multi-Domain Sub-Conventional Operations in a Semi-Urban Scenario”.
• The exercise simulates response mechanisms to terrorist activities, specifically territorial capture by hostile forces, with coordinated joint battalion-level operations.
• Activities will include:
  • Establishment of a Joint Operations Centre
  • Counterterrorism operations, such as population control, raids, and search-and-destroy missions
  • Employment of firepower, including air assets, to neutralise terrorist threats
• Special Forces from both the Army and Air Force will conduct missions such as:
  • Securing a helipad for further operations
  • Reconnaissance, observation, and Special Heliborne Operations (SHBO)
  • Small Team Insertion and Extraction (STIE)
  • Use of helicopters, drones, and counter-Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) measures
• The Indian Air Force will also provide logistical support to sustain operations in hostile environments, underlining the air-land integration capabilities.

Exercise DUSTLIK-VI FAQs

Q1. What is Exercise DUSTLIK-VI (2025)?
Ans. Exercise DUSTLIK-VI (2025) is the sixth edition of the joint military exercise conducted between India and Uzbekistan, aimed at strengthening defence cooperation and counter-terrorism training.

Q2. What is the main focus of Exercise DUSTLIK?
Ans. The focus is on joint training for counter-terrorism operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrains, as well as enhancing interoperability between the Indian Army and the Uzbekistan Army.

Q3. Where was Exercise DUSTLIK-V conducted?
Ans. Exercise DUSTLIK-V was hosted in Termez District, Uzbekistan, in April 2024, following the tradition of alternating venues between the two countries.

Source: PIB