MAITREE-XV is bringing the Indian Army and Royal Thai Army together for the 15th edition of their bilateral military exercise in Thailand. The Indian Army contingent departed for Thailand on August 17, 2026, ahead of the exercise scheduled from August 18 to August 31, 2026. The training will take place at Vibhavadi Rangsit Camp in Surat Thani, with 85 personnel from each country taking part.

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The exercise is part of the continuing defence cooperation between India and Thailand. It gives soldiers from both countries an opportunity to train together, share operational experience and improve coordination during challenging military situations.

India-Thailand Exercise MAITREE

Exercise MAITREE is a bilateral military exercise between the Indian Army and the Royal Thai Army. It began in 2006 and has since developed into a regular training engagement between the two forces.

The exercise focuses on practical military cooperation rather than only classroom discussions. Soldiers from both countries participate in field activities, tactical exercises and professional exchanges.

The 15th edition, known as MAITREE-XV, continues this long-running defence partnership at a time when India and Thailand are expanding cooperation across several areas, including security, trade, connectivity and the wider Indo-Pacific region.

Indian and Thai Army Contingents

The Indian contingent taking part in MAITREE-XV is primarily represented by personnel from the 9 Gorkha Rifles, a well-known infantry regiment of the Indian Army.

Thailand is represented by troops from the 3rd Battalion, 25th Infantry Brigade, 5th Division of the Royal Thai Army.

Both sides will have an equal strength of 85 personnel, creating a balanced training environment. Equal participation also allows soldiers from both armies to work closely during different stages of the exercise.

The participating troops will exchange experiences and learn about each other’s methods of operating in difficult environments.

Focus on Counter-Terrorism Operations

A major focus of MAITREE-XV is joint counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations. These activities are designed to help soldiers understand how to respond to security threats in complex environments.

The exercise will include training in jungle and semi-urban areas, where soldiers may face different operational challenges. Jungle environments can make movement, communication and surveillance difficult, while semi-urban areas require careful coordination because of the presence of buildings, roads and civilian infrastructure.

Training together allows the two armies to practise coordination and develop common approaches for such situations.

Training Under the UN Charter

The 2026 exercise is planned under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. This part of the UN Charter deals with international action concerning threats to peace, breaches of peace and acts of aggression.

The training scenario is intended to provide a structured setting in which participating troops can practise military responses to serious security situations.

Such exercises can help personnel understand operational procedures and improve their ability to work with forces from another country.

Field Exercises and Tactical Discussions

MAITREE-XV will not be limited to physical field training. The programme includes field exercises, combat discussions, lectures and a final validation exercise.

Combat discussions allow soldiers and commanders to exchange views about operational challenges. Lectures can provide information about tactics, procedures and lessons from previous operations.

The concluding validation exercise will provide an opportunity for the participating personnel to demonstrate the skills and coordination developed during the training period.

Sharing Military Experience and Technology

Another important part of MAITREE-XV is the exchange of operational experience. Soldiers from India and Thailand will have opportunities to understand the equipment, methods and technologies used by each other’s forces.

Modern military operations increasingly depend on communication systems, surveillance technologies, protective equipment and other advanced tools. Sharing experiences can help military personnel understand how different systems are used during field operations.

The exercise therefore combines traditional soldier training with contemporary military practices.

Thailand as a Strategic Partner for India

India and Thailand have maintained close defence relations for many years. Their geographical location makes security cooperation particularly important because both countries are connected to the wider Indo-Pacific region.

India has been strengthening defence and security partnerships with countries in Southeast Asia as part of its broader engagement with the region. Thailand is an important partner in this effort because of its location and its links with both mainland and maritime Southeast Asia.

Military exercises such as MAITREE provide a regular platform for practical cooperation between the two armed forces.

Previous Edition of MAITREE

The 14th edition of Exercise MAITREE concluded in September 2025 at the Foreign Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya.

The movement of the exercise between India and Thailand provides both countries with opportunities to train in different geographical and operational settings. Conducting exercises in different environments can expose participating troops to new terrain and working conditions.

MAITREE-XV now shifts the training to Thailand, where Indian and Thai soldiers will conduct joint activities at Vibhavadi Rangsit Camp in Surat Thani.

Defence Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific

The latest edition of MAITREE comes at a time when military cooperation in the Indo-Pacific is receiving greater attention. Countries in the region are increasing information sharing, joint training and defence engagement to improve their ability to respond to emerging security challenges.

For India and Thailand, regular army exercises provide a direct channel for strengthening military-to-military relations.

The 15th edition of MAITREE will continue until August 31, with the two forces working together through field training, tactical discussions, lectures and the final validation exercise.