Following the successful participation of the Indian Air Force in Exercise Bright Star-23, the Indian Army contingent is now poised to join the ongoing biennial multinational tri-service exercise at the Cairo (West) Air Base in Egypt.
This endeavor, set to continue until September 16, 2023, involves a group of 137 Indian Army personnel who have embarked on a journey to take part in ‘Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23.’
This exercise is scheduled to occur from August 31 to September 14, 2023, at the Mohammed Naguib Military Base in Egypt. Distinguished by its multinational tri-service composition, the exercise is jointly led by the US CENTCOM and the Egyptian Army.
Originally conceived as a bilateral biennial training initiative between the US and Egypt during the Camp David Accord of 1977, its inaugural edition unfolded in 1980 on Egyptian soil. Starting from 1995, the exercise’s scope was expanded to include the participation of other countries.
The most recent prior edition, ‘Exercise BRIGHT STAR,’ took place in 2021 and saw the involvement of armed forces from 21 nations.
In the present year, ‘Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23’ boasts the participation of 34 countries, making it the largest-ever joint military exercise in the Middle East and North Africa region. Significantly, this marks the debut of the Indian Armed Forces in ‘Exercise BRIGHT STAR,’ contributing a total contingent of 549 personnel. Representing the Indian Army in this endeavor is a unit from the 23 JAT Battalion.
The exercise agenda encompasses a diverse array of training activities designed to address emerging unconventional threats and foster regional partnerships among participating nations, all with the overarching goal of upholding global peace.
Beyond a variety of field and situational training exercises, ‘Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23’ will showcase a combined arms live firing demonstration in a tactical context. Moreover, a panel discussion covering contemporary topics, notably Cyber Security, is also on the schedule. It’s worth noting that the Indian Armed Forces play a prominent role in this discussion.
The upcoming ‘Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23’ provides the Indian Army with a unique platform to exchange best practices and insights with other military forces, thereby bolstering defense collaboration. With eager anticipation, the Indian Army envisions a rewarding professional experience stemming from its involvement in this exercise.
The author is a Delhi-based, DCC-qualified defence beat writer and independent contributor to print and online publications