The Indian Army contingent departed for the 13th edition of India-Thailand joint military Exercise MAITREE being conducted from the 1st to 15th of July at Fort Vachiraprakan in Tak Province of Thailand.

The Contingent departed yesterday. Defence Ministry said that the Indian Army contingent comprising 76 personnel is being represented mainly by a Battalion of the Ladakh Scouts along with personnel from other arms and services. The Royal Thailand Army contingent also comprises 76 personnel mainly from 1st Battalion, 14 Infantry Regiment of 4 Division.

Exercise MAITREE aims to foster Military Cooperation between India and Thailand. The Ministry said the Exercise will enhance combined capabilities in executing Joint Counter Insurgency and Terrorist Operations in Jungle and Urban Environments under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. The Exercise will focus on high degree of physical fitness, joint planning and joint tactical drills.

Exercise MAITREE will enable the two sides to share their best practices in Tactics, Techniques and Procedures for the conduct of joint operations. The Exercise will facilitate the development of inter-operability, bonhomie and camaraderie between soldiers of both countries. Tactical Drills to be practiced during the exercise will include Creation of a Joint Operation Centre, establishing an Intelligence and Surveillance Centre, employment of Drones and Counter Drone Systems, Securing of a Landing Site, Small Team Insertion & Extraction, Special Heliborne Operations, Cordon and Search Operations, Room Intervention Drills and Demolition of Illegal Structures. The last edition of the same exercise was conducted at Umroi, Meghalaya in September 2019.