The 15th edition of the India-Thailand joint military exercise Maitree is being conducted at Vibhavadi Rangsit Camp in Surat Thani, Thailand, and will conclude on August 31. The two-week exercise involves 85 personnel each from the Indian Army and the Royal Thai Army, represented by troops from the 9 Gorkha Rifles and the 3rd Battalion, 25th Infantry Brigade, respectively.
Muay Thai training introduced the Indian contingent to Thailand’s traditional martial art, often referred to as the “Art of Eight Limbs” for its coordinated use of fists, elbows, knees and shins. According to the Indian Army, the training enhanced physical conditioning, agility and close-combat skills while promoting cultural understanding and camaraderie between the two contingents.
The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and facilitate the exchange of operational experience in conducting joint counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in jungle and semi-urban environments.
Both contingents have undertaken joint training in jungle survival, first aid and casualty evacuation. The training has also covered trench-clearing drills and the employment of UAVs in support of joint operations.
The focus on UAVs comes as the Indian Army plans to induct tens of thousands of locally-made unmanned aerial systems and loitering munitions over the next five years to strengthen its battlefield capabilities. The move is driven by the growing impact of these systems on military operations and the way they have reshaped modern warfare, as visible in ongoing global conflicts including the US-Israel war with Iran.
Drone warfare has emerged as a priority for the Indian military amid the evolving demands of modern combat. The army’s requirement spans 80 different types of unmanned systems for specific roles, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, precision strikes, munition dropping, air defence, jamming, mine warfare, data relay and logistics, according to a Technology Roadmap for Unmanned Aerial Systems and Loitering Munitions unveiled in April.
The ongoing exercise therefore combines traditional combat skills with modern battlefield technology, giving the Indian and Thai contingents opportunities to train together across close-combat, survival, counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism and UAV-supported operations.
Last year, India and Thailand upgraded their relations to a strategic partnership as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his then Thai counterpart Paetongtarn Shinawatra explored ways to enhance trade and investment and bolster cooperation in defence, security and countering cyber-crimes and human trafficking.
With the Maitree exercise scheduled to conclude on August 31, the joint drills continue to focus on strengthening interoperability and operational coordination between the Indian Army and the Royal Thai Army.
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