In recent years, India has focused on strengthening overall defence and strategic ties with the African continent in response to China's growing efforts to expand its influence over the countries

The Indian Army will hold a mega multilateral exercise in March with militaries from around 40 African countries, officials said on Thursday, with the goal of significantly expanding two-way military engagement. On the sidelines of the military drills in Pune, the Army intends to hold a conclave of chiefs of armies from the participating nations.

Chief of Army Staff Gen Manoj Pande mentioned the upcoming exercise at a press conference ahead of Army Day on 15 January.

“In March, we will conduct an exercise with African countries,” he said.

Another official said that around 40 countries will take part in the mega exercise, which will include major military drills.

In recent years, India has focused on strengthening overall defence and strategic ties with the African continent in response to China's growing efforts to expand its influence over the countries.

In response to a separate question, Gen Pande said that approximately 45 per cent of the Indian Army's equipment is vintage, while 41 per cent is current technology.

According to him, 12 to 15 per cent are cutting-edge.

“Through our modernisation plan, we will achieve a figure of 35 per cent current technology and 44 per cent state of the art by 2030,” he said.

Gen Pande said that the Indian Army had launched a standardised mixed martial arts (MMA) programme for its soldiers.

When asked if the cracks in Uttarakhand's Joshimath had any effect on military movement, he said some troops were relocated but had no impact on operational matters.