PA/01/23 02 Mar 2023
General Rawat India-Australia Young Defence Officers’ Exchange Program- 2023
Fifteen officers from the Australian Defence Force will be visiting India from 1 March under the inaugural General Rawat India-Australia Young Defence Officers’ Exchange Program.
The Australian contingent, which includes four female officers, are from the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force.
During the Exchange Program the Australian officers will be hosted by fifteen officers from the Indian Armed Forces of similar rank and skillset, and will visit various Indian defence establishments across four cities. The Exchange Program will include visits to the Air Force Academy, College of Defence Management, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Naval facilities in Goa and other key defence installations.
The program provides a valuable opportunity for the Australian officers to observe the training and practices of India's military and foster greater understanding and cooperation.
Australia’s High Commissioner to India, the Hon Barry O’Farrell AO, said “This is an excellent opportunity for India and Australia to introduce their young defence officers to each other’s operational environments and strengthen our bilateral relationship. In 2022, in recognition of the contributions of India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, and the importance of deepening our defence relationship, the Australian and Indian governments announced an Australia-India Young Defence Officers’ Exchange Programme named in his honour.”
The visit to India by the Australian Defence delegation is another example of the building momentum between Australia and India as comprehensive strategic partners. The Exchange Program reflects the shared vision of both nations to enhance bilateral defence ties, cooperation and collaboration through strong people-to-people links.
The General Rawat India-Australia Young Defence Officers’ Exchange Program was agreed in 2022 by then Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The program is named in memory of India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat PVSM UYSM AVSM YSM SM VSM ADC. The program aims to expose young officers from Australia and India to each other’s training philosophies and capabilities. Through people-to-people links, the program will strengthen India and Australia’s bilateral relationship.