Sandip Dighe

joint

Belgaum

Maratha Light Infantry

MLI

Karnataka. Bhatinda

Santosh Kurup

MLI TO RAISE NEW BATTALION

The army is desperately looking for a third alternative to hold joint military exercises with other countries, as Belgaum — headquarters of the) and a preferred location for such exercises — is out of bounds due to ongoing construction work there.Joint exercises are usually held in Bhatinda, Punjab, or Belgaum,, base of the Indian Army’s 10 Corps, is home to mechanised and armoured regiments. A major Indian Air Force base, it also houses leading fighters like Sukhoi 30 MKI and MI-17V5 helicopters, whereas MLI, surrounded by jungles, mountains, plains and semi-hills, is highly conducive to training in warfare of various kinds.The army conducts exercises jointly with countries like USA, China, Mongolia, Sri Lanka and Maldives. In December, India engaged in a joint exercise with China at Aundh Military Station in Pune, HQ of the Southern Command.“Owing to the ongoing construction of two new barracks at Belgaum, joint exercises cannot be held there. Work will be completed by 2016,” said Brigadier, MLI commanding officer.The Belgaum training centre is one of the oldest army regiments. “What makes the centre suitable for such exercises is primarily its location, especially its proximity to the Western Ghats. Both the weather and terrain are good, too. Also, vast jungles offer a perfect setting for guerrilla training.These exercises are aimed at increasing defence co-operation, understanding synergy between countries and their armies,” said a senior MLI officer.Anew battalion, comprising around 800 soldiers, is going to be raised by MLI in a couple of months. Kolhapur, housing a Territorial Army battalion, will be the base station.