New Delhi, March 21(FN Bureau) The Indian Army contingent on Monday arrived at Seychelles for the 9th Joint Military Exercise Lamitiye-2022 to be conducted at Seychelles Defence Academy (SDA) from March 22 to March 31. The 10 day long Exercise Lamitiye-2022 is a biennial training event between Indian Army and Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF), and is being conducted in Seychelles since 2001. The Indian Army contingent comprises troops from the 2/3 Gorkha Rifles for the Joint Exercise. “The biennial exercise, which has largely contributed to strengthen bilateral military cooperation and interoperability between both armies, is an outbound exercise being held in Seychelles.
We look forward to share practical aspects to comprehend and put in practice the validated drills, procedures as well as amalgamation of new technology in sub-conventional operations through numerous situation based discussions and tactical exercises,” said Major Abhishek Nepal Singh, Company Commander of Indian Army contingent. The exercise will include field training exercises, combat discussions, lectures, demonstrations and culminate with a two days validation exercise, the Indian Army said. An infantry platoon strength each from the Indian Army and Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) along with Company Headquarters will be participating in this exercise which is aimed at sharing experiences gained during various operations against hostile forces in semi-urban environment and enhance capability to undertake joint operations, the Army added.
“Notably, in the series of military training exercises undertaken by India with various countries, Lamitiye-2022 with Seychelles is crucial and significant in terms of security challenges faced by both
the nations in the backdrop of current global situation and growing security concerns in the Indian Ocean Region,” the Indian Army said. The objective of the joint training exercise is to build and promote bilateral military relations in addition to exchanging skills, experiences and good practices between both the armies, the Army said. “Both sides will jointly train, plan and execute a series of well-developed tactical drills for neutralisation of likely threats that may be encountered in semi urban environment, while exploiting and showcasing new generation equipment and technology for conducting joint operations,” the Army said. Due emphasis will be laid on enhancing tactical skills in combating hostile forces in semi-urban environment and on increasing interoperability between forces. The joint military exercise will enhance the level of defence co-operation between Indian Army and Seychelles Defence Forces and will further manifest in enhancing the bilateral relations between the two countries, the Army said.