Indian Army Contingent Departs for Thailand for MAITREE-XV Joint Exercise
An Indian Army contingent left for Thailand on August 17, 2026, to take part in the 15th edition of the India-Thailand joint military exercise MAITREE-XV, which will be held from August 18 to 31 at Vibhavadi Rangsit Camp in Surat Thani.
The exercise will see 85 personnel from the Indian Army and an equal strength from the Royal Thai Army. The Indian side is being represented mainly by troops from 9 Gorkha Rifles, while the Royal Thai Army contingent comprises personnel from the 3rd Battalion, 25th Infantry Brigade, 5th Division.
MAITREE-XV is designed around company-level joint training and will focus on improving the two armies’ ability to carry out coordinated operations in difficult jungle and semi-urban terrain. The training is structured to strengthen practical cooperation in environments where mobility, coordination and rapid decision-making are essential.
A major emphasis of the exercise will be joint counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. The programme will include field exercises, combat discussions, lectures and demonstrations, ending with a validation exercise to assess the skills and procedures developed during the training period.
During the exercise, troops from both countries will exchange operational experience and discuss best practices for planning and conducting joint missions. The contingents will also get familiar with contemporary equipment, technologies and operational techniques used by the two armies, adding a training dimension that goes beyond drill and field manoeuvres.
Exercise MAITREE was first launched in 2006 and has since become a regular platform for military engagement between India and Thailand. Over the years, it has supported professional interaction, the sharing of field experience and the development of interoperability between the two armed forces.
The previous edition was held at the Foreign Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya, in September 2025. By moving to Thailand for the 2026 edition, the exercise is expected to further build on the operational understanding and cooperation developed through earlier iterations.
According to the Indian Army, MAITREE-XV is expected to deepen interoperability, mutual understanding and camaraderie between the two forces. It also reflects the broader defence relationship between India and Thailand and adds to bilateral ties between the two countries.
