New Delhi: The 85-member Indian Army contingent left for Thailand Monday to participate in the 15th edition of the India-Thailand Joint Military Exercise MAITREE-XV (2026), which will focus on joint counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.
The Ministry of Defence said in a press release that the exercise will be held from the 18th to the 31st of August at Vibhavadi Rangsit Camp in Surat Thani, Thailand. The Royal Thai Army will also send 85 personnel.
The Indian Army contingent will mainly comprise troops from 9 Gorkha Rifles, while the Thai contingent will include personnel from the 3rd Battalion, 25th Infantry Brigade and 5th Division.
The two armies will train together at the company level, focusing on operations in Jungle and suburban environments under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
This two-week exercise includes field training, combat discussions, lectures, and demonstrations, culminating in a final exercise to test the troops’ skills. This exercise will focus on improving the ability of the two armies to maintain a high degree of physical fitness, joint planning, and joint tactical drills.
Exercise MAITREE, which was established in 2006 as the Thai-Indian Cooperation Field Exercise (TICAFE), officially changed its name in 2013 to MAITREE, which means ‘Friendship’. This exercise is a joint initiative to deepen the defence partnership between India and Thailand, which is held annually, with the two countries taking turns to host it.
The exercise aims to improve interoperability, mutual trust and cooperation between the two armies, particularly in counter terrorism, counter-insurgency and peacekeeping operations.
However, the exercise has not been held annually. The 12th edition was held in September 2019 at the Foreign Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya.
The exercise then saw a 5-year gap after 2019 due to the COVID pandemic and other restrictions; the 13th edition was subsequently held in 2024 at Fort Vachiraprakan in Tak Province, Thailand. The 14th edition was held in 2025 at Umroi, Meghalaya.
The latest edition of MAITREE comes 20 years after it was launched in 2006. As the 15th edition, it is further expected to strengthen coordination and camaraderie between the two forces and reinforce the longstanding defence ties between the two countries.
(Edited by Jeyasri AT)
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