Exercise MAITREE

Exercise MAITREE

 

Context:

The Indian Army contingent has departed for the 13th edition of the India–Thailand joint military Exercise MAITREE.

Relevance:

GS-3 (Defence & Security)

Overview of Exercise MAITREE:

• Exercise MAITREE is an annual joint military exercise between India and Thailand designed to enhance military cooperation and interoperability between the two countries.

 

Key Details of Exercise MAITREE:

1. Duration and Location:
   • The 13th edition of Exercise MAITREE is scheduled from 1st to 15th July 2024.
   • The exercise will be conducted at Fort Vachiraprakan in the Tak Province of Thailand.
2. Previous Edition:
   • The last edition was held in 2019 at Umroi, Meghalaya.
3. Objectives:
   • The primary aim of Exercise MAITREE is to foster military cooperation between India and Thailand.
   • It seeks to enhance combined capabilities for executing joint counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations in both jungle and urban environments under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
4. Focus Areas:
   • Emphasis on a high degree of physical fitness.
   • Joint planning and execution of joint tactical drills.
5. Tactical Drills:
   • Creation of a Joint Operation Centre.
   • Establishment of an Intelligence & Surveillance Centre.
   • Employment of drones and counter-drone systems.
   • Securing of a landing site.
   • Small team insertion and extraction operations.
   • Special heliborne operations.
   • Cordon and search operations.
   • Room intervention drills.
   • Demolition of illegal structures.

Significance:

• Exercise MAITREE is pivotal for strengthening bilateral defence ties between India and Thailand. It enhances the ability of both armies to operate cohesively in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism missions, thereby contributing to regional stability and security.

• The exercise also facilitates mutual trust and understanding, promotes the exchange of best practices, and improves the overall combat readiness of the participating forces.