Exercise Maitree 2018: India, Thailand joint military exercise concludes

Joint platoon level military exercise Maitree 2018 between India and Thailand was conducted in Thailand from 6 to 19 August 2018. It was platoon level exercise between Indian Army and Royal Thai Army that comprised of infantry component.

Maitree 2018

The exercise had started with cross training period involving familiarization training between two armies to evolve drills and procedures involved in counter insurgency & counter terrorist operations in urban, rural and jungle terrain under United Nations (UN) mandate.
It focused on familiarizing with each other’s modus operandi, basic maneuvers and evolving joint drills. It also included practicing of various drills ad tactical scenarios in counter insurgency environment, execution of tactical operations like search and destroy operation, house intervention and survival techniques. It culminated with 72 hour joint exercise on planning and execution of series of tactical operations like pursuit, raid, establishing military check post and cordon and search operations.

Significance

The Maitree 2018 immensely benefitted both armies from each other’s expertise and experience in conduct of tactical level counter terrorist operations. It also helped in enhancing cooperation between two armies and bonhomie between troops. It also laid due emphasis on increasing interoperability between forces from both countries which is considered crucial for success of any joint operation.

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2018