An Indian Army contingent departed today for Thailand to participate in the 15th edition of the India-Thailand Joint Military Exercise MAITREE-XV, scheduled to be held from August 18 to 31, 2026, at Vibhavadi Rangsit Camp in Surat Thani, Thailand.
The exercise will bring together 85 personnel each from the Indian Army and the Royal Thai Army. The Indian contingent will be represented primarily by troops from the 9 Gorkha Rifles, while the Royal Thai Army contingent will comprise personnel from the 3rd Battalion, 25th Infantry Brigade, 5th Division.
MAITREE-XV will feature company-level joint training focused on operations in jungle and semi-urban environments. The exercise aims to strengthen military cooperation and enhance the ability of both armies to conduct joint counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations 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 in joint operations.
Instituted in 2006, Exercise MAITREE has emerged as an important platform for India and Thailand to share best practices and strengthen defence cooperation. The exercise is expected to further improve interoperability, mutual understanding and camaraderie between the two armies.
The previous edition of the exercise was conducted at the Foreign Training Node, Umroi, Meghalaya, in September 2025.
MAITREE-XV is expected to further reinforce the longstanding defence and strategic partnership between India and Thailand through enhanced operational coordination and closer military-to-military engagement.
