India and Malaysia on Friday began the fifth edition of their joint military exercise, Harimau Shakti, at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan. The exercise will run from December 5 to 18 and is aimed at enhancing interoperability in sub-conventional operations under the UN Chapter VII mandate, according to the defence ministry.
The Indian Army is represented primarily by troops from the Dogra Regiment, while the Malaysian contingent comprises personnel from the 25th Battalion of the Royal Malaysian Army. The two sides will train together in counter-terrorist operations, including cordon-and-search drills, search-and-destroy missions, and heliborne operations. The curriculum also includes Army Martial Arts Routine, combat reflex shooting and yoga sessions, the ministry said on Friday.
During the course of the exercise, both armies will rehearse procedures for securing helipads and conducting casualty evacuation in hostile environments. The focus will be on improving joint responses, reducing operational risks and aligning drills with UN peacekeeping requirements, the defence ministry added.
The exercise will also facilitate the exchange of tactics and best practices across a wide spectrum of combat skills. The Army said the engagement is expected to deepen defence cooperation between India and Malaysia and further strengthen bilateral ties.
