IAF and Royal Thai Air Force Conduct Joint HADR Exercise Siam Bharat 2026 in Agra

The Indian Air Force and the Royal Thai Air Force have concluded Exercise Siam Bharat 2026, a joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) drill held at Air Force Station Agra from August 23 to 29, 2026. The seven-day exercise was designed to improve bilateral readiness, strengthen coordination and build practical cooperation for disaster-response missions.

At its core, the exercise was aimed at sharpening the two air forces’ ability to work together in the event of natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies. Personnel from both sides used the opportunity to exchange operational knowledge, compare procedures and better understand the demands of coordinated HADR operations.

A major component of the engagement was a series of tabletop exercises built around different disaster scenarios. These discussions were intended to test how the participating contingents would respond in complex situations and to assess the planning, coordination and decision-making required when time-sensitive humanitarian action is needed.

The exercise also included capability exchanges, through which both air forces shared their experiences, operational practices and approaches to disaster response. Such interaction is intended to improve mutual understanding and interoperability, especially when rapid coordination is required across services and national systems.

Practical air operations were also part of the exercise, giving participants exposure to the challenges of coordinating aviation assets during HADR missions. These operational activities were aimed at improving the ability of the two forces to plan and execute joint responses in disaster situations where speed and precision are critical.

In addition to the air forces, representatives from the National Disaster Response Force, the National Disaster Management Authority, the Directorate General of Research and Development Establishment and the Indian Army took part in the engagement.

The presence of these Indian agencies highlighted the broader, integrated nature of disaster response, where military and civilian bodies must often work together to deliver timely assistance, evacuation and relief during major emergencies. It also allowed the exercise to look beyond air operations and examine the wider institutional coordination needed in large-scale HADR scenarios.

By bringing together the Indian Army, national disaster-management organisations and the two air forces, Exercise Siam Bharat 2026 provided a setting to assess coordination across domains and institutions involved in major relief operations. The engagement offered both sides an opportunity for professional interaction as well as practical cooperation in humanitarian missions.

The exercise further reflected the growing role of military assets in supporting disaster-relief efforts across the region, particularly in situations that demand rapid deployment, aerial mobility and a coordinated response at short notice.

With the conclusion of the exercise, participating personnel gained experience in joint planning, capability integration and operational coordination. For India and Thailand, the engagement reinforced their commitment to effective humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and to building integrated HADR capabilities for future emergencies.