Indian Army conducts 36 joint exercises with 22 friendly foreign countries

SHILLONG: Aiming to host foreign armies for joint training exercises, the Indian Army conceptualised and created an independent and fully integrated joint training node (JTN) at Umroi in 2016.

JTN Umroi is the nominated node of the Eastern Command of the Indian Army for the conduct of joint exercises with friendly foreign countries. In the last seven years, it has matured as a Centre of Excellence for International Army Joint Training and focused on strengthening military-level exchanges. The JTN reflects India’s commitment to enhancing cooperation among friendly foreign nations and promoting global peace and stability through mutual learning and collaboration.

The training area, which spans over 2500 acres, encompasses state-of-the art training facilities for the conduct of counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations in semi-urban and jungle environments under the mandate of the United Nations for peacekeeping and peace enforcement operations. The training areas include an 800-metre sniper range with six firing lanes and elevated platforms. A challenging 1.4-kilometre battle obstacle course with 17 obstacles culminates in the 300-metre range with eight firing lanes, which is utilised for training on endurance and firing skills. The 200-metre Jungle Lane Shooting Area and Indoor Combat Reflex Shooting Range are optimally designed to train on Jungle and Urban Warfare, including the Counter-Terrorist Village Training Area, in house intervention operations.

The state-of-the art Joint Warfare Centre includes state-of-the-art IT infrastructure and a network-enabled Wargame Centre for the Command Post Exercises to ensure integration of Command Control Communication, Computer Intelligence, and Information Systems.

The Training Node is a residential complex for 450 soldiers nestled in the tranquil climes of Shillong Hills and has various amenities, including souvenir shops, showcasing Indian cultural artefacts, a state-of-the-art gymnasium, and sports facilities for recreation and friendly matches. As the exercise ‘Harimau Shakti’ progresses, the camaraderie and collaboration among the participating nations continue to deepen, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose, stated a press release.

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