The Indian Army and Japanese Army today completed their joint military exercise, ‘DHARMA GUARDIAN’ – 2018 at Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School (CIJWS), Vairengte in Mizoram, one of the North Eastern State of India. It is being considered as significant step towards fostering military and diplomatic ties between India and Japan.
According to a press release the primary focus of the joint military exercise was to train and equip the contingents to undertake joint counter insurgency and counter terrorist operations in urban and semi urban terrain. The participants were initially familiarized with each other’s organisational structure, tactical drills and planning process before graduating to joint tactical exercises.
During ‘Dharma Guardian 2018’ contingents honed their tactical and technical skills in a wide spectrum of counter insurgency operations including joint training on weapons and equipment, field training exercises as well as handling of improvised explosive devices (IED).
Commanders at various levels from both sides were exercised to work in close coordination to receive and collate information jointly, plan operations and issue suitable orders to respective integrated groups. The exercise not only provided an important opportunity for both contingents to share their operational experience and expertise , it was also instrumental in broadening the interoperability as well as cooperation between Indian and Japanese Army. The most important aspect of ‘ Dharma Guardian ‘ is instilling confidence in each other’s capability.