Indian Army is set to conduct one of the largest multi-national military exercises for the first time which will see participation of 18 ASEAN Plus countries. The week-long exercise code named as Ex-Force Eighteen will be held in Pune beginning from March 2. The Field Training Exercise or FTX will see participation of over 360 personnel.

About the exercise:-

• It will give the Army an opportunity to showcase, learn and share the best fields with friendly foreign countries.
  Over 75 members from the ASEAN Plus countries and defence attaches are currently in Pune attending the three days of the Final Planning Conference.
• The 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 theme of FTX would be based on Humanitarian Mine Action and Peace Keeping Operations.
• Exercise Force Eighteen will give Indian Army an opportunity to showcase, learn and share the best fields with the friendly foreign countries.

Background:-

• The aim of FPC was to present final plans for the conduct of FTX in March 2016 by the Indian Army. During this the delegate members were taken for the reconnaissance of Exercise Area as well as a visit to various administrative infrastructures which has been developed for the FTX.
• However, during ADSOM Plus (ASEAN Defence Senior Officers Meeting) held in Malaysia in March 2015, India offered to conduct the joint FTX in 2016, incorporating both Humanitarian Mine Action and Peace Keeping Operations.
• Since then, intense planning activities have been undertaken by Indian Army to develop the concept and scope of FTX.