India & Saudi Arabia Conduct Joint Warfare Operations In Middle East

By Logan Williams, Warrior Editorial Fellow

India has been steadily increasing its military and economic ties with the United States and its other Western partners, under the leadership of President Modi. This has led to numerous developments such as the Indian purchase of the United States’ “Reaper” drones and the US-India co-production of the Stryker infantry carrier vehicle.

On Friday, February 9th, India crossed another milestone in its establishment of partnerships with Western and West-aligned states — India concluded its first-ever joint military exercise with Saudi Arabian forces.

This joint exercise was code-named “Sada Tansiq.” The first word, “Sada,” is Hindi for “forever” or “eternal;” the second word, “Tansiq,” is Arabic for “cooperation” — a suitably strong sentiment for a history-making event.

This exercise was an 11-day endeavor, occurring between January 29th and February 9th, which focused upon actions in accordance with Chapter Ⅶ of the United Nations’ Charter, which establishes the United Nations’ mission to guard international peace, security, and stability.

The tasks which sat at the core of this joint exercise were crucial components of a long-term stability operation, such as the setting-up of a temporary operating base, establishing an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance grid, establishing mobile vehicle checkpoints, carrying-out cordon and search operations in a hostile village, heliborne operations, and house intervention (breach and clear) drills. Notably, these drills also included platoon-level battle drills, where mechanized infantry (modern day cavalry) practiced the use of infantry combat vehicles, such as the Stryker, and in which soldiers practiced reflex shooting as well as sniper exercises.

Warrior Talks to UnderSecretary of the Army Mr. Gabriel Camarillo