Indian Army Contingent Departs for India-Thailand Joint Military Exercise MAITREE-XV
The Indian Army contingent has departed for Thailand to participate in the 15th edition of the India-Thailand Joint Military Exercise MAITREE-XV, scheduled to be held from August 18 to 31, 2026, at Vibhavadi Rangsit Camp in Surat Thani, Thailand.
The exercise is aimed at strengthening military cooperation, enhancing interoperability and improving the ability of the Indian and Royal Thai armies to conduct joint operations in challenging environments. The previous edition of Exercise MAITREE was conducted at the Foreign Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya, in September 2025.
Both the Indian Army and Royal Thai Army will field contingents comprising 85 personnel each. The Indian contingent will be represented primarily by troops from the 9 Gorkha Rifles, while the Royal Thai Army contingent will comprise personnel from the 3rd Battalion, 25th Infantry Brigade, 5th Division.
The two-week exercise will focus on company-level joint training for operations in jungle and semi-urban terrain. A key objective will be to enhance the combined capabilities of the two armies in conducting joint counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
The training programme has been designed to provide troops with practical experience in planning and executing coordinated operations. It will include a combination of field training exercises, combat discussions, lectures, demonstrations and a culminating validation exercise.
The participating contingents will also use the exercise as an opportunity to exchange operational experiences and share best practices. Personnel from both sides will showcase contemporary equipment, technologies and operational procedures used during joint military operations.
Exercise MAITREE was instituted in 2006 and has since emerged as an important platform for deepening defence cooperation between India and Thailand. Over the years, the exercise has provided the two armies with opportunities to train together, understand each other’s operational procedures and develop greater coordination at the tactical level.
The 2026 edition comes against the backdrop of longstanding and growing bilateral relations between India and Thailand. Joint military exercises such as MAITREE contribute to strengthening mutual confidence while providing participating troops with valuable exposure to different operational environments and military practices.
The focus on jungle and semi-urban operations is particularly significant as it requires troops to operate in complex terrain while maintaining coordination, communication and situational awareness. The joint training is expected to help both contingents develop common approaches to operational challenges and improve their ability to work together during multinational or coordinated security operations.
The culminating validation exercise will provide an opportunity to assess the skills and procedures developed during the training phase. It will bring together lessons from field exercises, tactical discussions and demonstrations into a coordinated operational scenario.
The Indian Army’s participation in MAITREE-XV is therefore expected to further strengthen interoperability, mutual understanding and camaraderie between the Indian and Royal Thai armies. The exercise also reflects the continuing commitment of both countries to expanding defence engagement and reinforcing their close bilateral relationship.
With the participation of 170 personnel from the two armies, Exercise MAITREE-XV will provide a focused platform for joint training, professional exchange and operational learning, while further consolidating the defence partnership between India and Thailand.
