New Delhi |Dec 20, 2025 | BeyondborBersbyJwala
In a significant stride towards deepening operational synergy, India, alongside its Quad partners—Australia, Japan, and the United States—successfully concluded the first-ever Field Training Exercise (FTX) under the Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network (IPLN). The exercise took place from December 8 to 12, 2025, at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, on the sidelines of the long-running Operation Christmas Drop.
This milestone exercise marks a practical evolution of the Quad's commitment to the region, moving beyond strategic dialogue to tangible, on-the-ground cooperation. For India, participation in this FTX underscores its growing role as a key security and humanitarian provider in the Indo-Pacific.
Boosting Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)
The core objective of the IPLN is to enable Quad countries to rapidly and efficiently leverage shared logistics capabilities. This shared network is designed to speed up civilian responses to large-scale natural disasters across the disaster-prone Indo-Pacific region, ultimately saving lives and accelerating recovery efforts for regional partners.
During the FTX, Indian personnel trained alongside their Quad counterparts, focusing on enhancing interoperability and coordination. A key aspect of the training involved operations with a Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) C-130H transport aircraft, standardizing procedures for rapid deployment of aid and personnel. This practical experience is crucial for ensuring a seamless and coordinated response during actual crises.
Building on Strategic Foundations
This Field Training Exercise builds directly upon the foundation laid by the IPLN Tabletop Exercise (TTX) conducted earlier this year in April 2025. The transition from tabletop simulations to field maneuvers reflects the Quad's determination to translate strategic intent into operational reality.
The successful conclusion of the FTX is a testament to the shared commitment of the four nations to address regional challenges practically. It reinforces the collective goal of ensuring a "free and open Indo-Pacific" not just through security cooperation, but also by building a robust architecture for humanitarian support that benefits the entire region.
Looking ahead, the Quad partners plan to regularize IPLN activities, including future tabletop and field exercises, confidence-building measures, and subject matter expert exchanges. For New Delhi, continued deep engagement in such initiatives is vital for enhancing the Indian Armed Forces' HADR capabilities, strengthening military-to-military ties with key partners, and solidifying India's position as a reliable first responder in its strategic neighborhood.
0 Comments