Indian and Thai Armies Join Forces for Exercise MAITREE 2023 in Thailand

The Indian Army contingent has departed for the 13th edition of Exercise MAITREE, a joint military exercise with Thailand. This event is scheduled from July 1-15 at Fort Vachiraprakan in Tak Province, Thailand.

The last edition of this exercise was held in Umroi, Meghalaya in September 2019. The Indian Army contingent, consisting of 76 personnel mainly from the Ladakh Scouts, will join 76 personnel from the Royal Thailand Army’s 1st Battalion, 14 Infantry Regiment of 4 Division.

The aim of Exercise MAITREE is to foster military cooperation between India and Thailand. The exercise will enhance combined capabilities in executing joint counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in jungle and urban environments under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.

During the exercise, both armies will focus on high physical fitness, joint planning, and joint tactical drills. These drills include creating a Joint Operation Centre, establishing an intelligence and surveillance centre, employing drones and counter-drone systems, securing landing sites, small team insertion and extraction, Special Heliborne Operations, Cordon and Search Operations, Room Intervention Drills, and Demolition of Illegal Structures.

Exercise MAITREE will enable both sides to share best practices in tactics, techniques, and procedures for joint operations. It will also facilitate the development of interoperability, bonhomie, and camaraderie between soldiers of both countries.

The Maitree Exercise is an annual military exercise between Thailand and India, covering air and land forces, along with medical support activities. The name ‘Maitree’ means ‘friendship’ and signifies the strengthening of ties and cooperation between the two nations.