New Delhi: The Indian Army contingent on Monday departed for Thailand to participate in the 15th India-Thailand Joint Military Exercise MAITREE-XV (2026).
The exercise will be held from August 18 to 31 at Vibhavadi Rangsit Camp in Surat Thani, Thailand. The previous edition was conducted at the Foreign Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya, in September 2025.
Focus on counter-terror operations
Both the Indian Army and Royal Thai Army will deploy 85 personnel each. The Indian contingent comprises primarily troops from the 9 Gorkha Rifles, while the Thai contingent includes personnel from the 3rd Battalion, 25th Infantry Brigade, 5th Division.
The company-level exercise will focus on joint operations in jungle and semi-urban terrain, including counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
Training will include field exercises, combat discussions, lectures, demonstrations and a final validation exercise. The troops will also exchange operational experience and showcase modern equipment and technologies.
Instituted in 2006, Exercise MAITREE aims to strengthen military cooperation, interoperability and mutual understanding between the Indian and Royal Thai armies, while further deepening bilateral defence ties.
