Army to hold one of largest military exercises

Pune, Jan 14: The army is set to hold one of the largest multinational military exercise in March which will see the participation of the 18 'ASEAN Plus' countries, an official statement said on Thursday.

Over 360 personnel will participate in 'Exercise Force Eighteen' to be held from March 2-8 in Pune with the theme of Humanitarian Mine Action and Peace Keeping Operations, it added.

"Exercise Force Eighteen will give the Indian Army an opportunity to showcase, learn and share the best fields with our friendly foreign countries," the statement said.

"The Field Training Exercise is a concerted effort towards constructive joint efforts of militaries of the region to enhance the peace and security of the region. The conduct of multinational exercise by India would give correct perspective of the Peacekeeping Operations and Humanitarian Mine Action so that we achieve common understanding in handling any complex situation," the statement said.

The ASEAN Plus is made up of 18 countries -- 10 ASEAN countries and Australia, China, Japan, India, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Russia and the United States.

During ADSOM Plus (ASEAN Defence Senior Officers' Meeting) in Malaysia in March 2015, India offered to conduct the joint FTX in 2016, incorporating both Humanitarian Mine Action and Peace Keeping Operations.

IANS