The Indian Army contingent on Monday departed for Thailand to participate in the 15th edition of the India-Thailand Joint Military Exercise MAITREE-XV (2026).
The exercise will be conducted from August 18 to 31 at Vibhavadi Rangsit Camp in Surat Thani, Thailand. The previous edition was held at the Foreign Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya, in September 2025.
The Indian Army and Royal Thai Army will field contingents comprising 85 personnel each. The Indian contingent will primarily comprise troops from the 9 Gorkha Rifles, while the Royal Thai Army contingent will include personnel from the 3rd Battalion, 25th Infantry Brigade, 5th Division.
The exercise will involve company-level joint training focused on operations in jungle and semi-urban terrain.
The exercise aims to strengthen military cooperation between India and Thailand and enhance the two armies’ capabilities to conduct joint counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in jungle and semi-urban environments under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
The training programme will include field exercises, combat discussions, lectures, demonstrations and a culminating validation exercise.
The participating contingents will also exchange operational experiences and showcase contemporary equipment and technologies used during joint operations.
Instituted in 2006, Exercise MAITREE serves as an important platform for sharing best practices and strengthening military cooperation between the two countries.
The exercise is expected to enhance interoperability, mutual understanding and camaraderie between the Indian and Royal Thai armies, further strengthening the longstanding bilateral ties between India and Thailand.
