Indian Army Troops Travel to U.K. for Exercise

Indian Army Troops Travel to U.K. for Exercise (NSI News Source Info) 24 August, 2008: NEW DELHI - For the first time, Indian and British mechanized infantry troops will conduct joint training and exercises in the United Kingdom. The three-week battalion group-level exercise will start Aug. 29 at the British Army's Land Warfare Centre, located on England's Salisbury Plain. "India and the U.K. are key strategic partners and enjoy a close defense relationship," the Indian Defence Ministry said in an Aug. 22 statement. "This exercise is a great step for the armies of two democratic countries to train together and gain from each other's experience. The U.K. Army had earlier participated in joint training with Indian troops in India last year, and this exercise is reciprocal to U.K. forces training in India." The Indian contingent comprises 126 troops of all ranks, including the command elements, of the Indian Army's 16 Mechanised Infantry Regiment, while the British troops are from the 3rd Mercian Regiment. The 3rd Mercian Regiment is an amalgamation of old British units and served in India during the mid-19th century. Before the joint exercises, the participants will undergo familiarization and interoperability training. followed by two joint operational maneuvers, named Exercise Lions Strike and Exercise Wessex Warrior. Gen. Deepak Kapoor, commander of the Indian Army, is scheduled to visit Britain on Sept. 8 and will witness the demonstration and joint maneuvers. A senior Indian Army official said this is a great opportunity for the Indian mechanized contingent to pit their skills with the mechanized forces of the British Army and to have a closer look at the state-of-the-art training and simulation facilities available at Britain's Land Warfare Centre. The British Army in turn will benefit by interacting with the Indian Army contingent, enhancing interoperability between the two militaries, the Indian official said.