India-Thailand MAITREE-XV military exercise begins August 18 in Surat Thani
Synopsis
India and Thailand kick off the 15th edition of Exercise MAITREE on 18 August, deploying 85 troops each in Surat Thani for two weeks of jungle and semi-urban counter-terrorism drills. Now in its 19th year, MAITREE has become the cornerstone of India's military engagement with a key ASEAN partner — and this edition's Thai-soil venue underscores the exercise's alternating-host tradition.
Key Takeaways
The Indian Army contingent departed for Thailand on 17 August for Exercise MAITREE-XV .
The exercise runs from 18 to 31 August at Vibhavadi Rangsit Camp, Surat Thani .
Both the Indian Army and Royal Thai Army will field 85 personnel each .
India's contingent is led by troops from the 9 Gorkha Rifles ; Thailand's by the 3rd Battalion, 25th Infantry Brigade .
Training focuses on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations in jungle and semi-urban terrain under UN Charter Chapter VII .
Exercise MAITREE was instituted in 2006 ; the previous edition was held in Meghalaya in September 2025 .
An Indian Army contingent departed for Thailand on Monday, 17 August to participate in the 15th edition of the India-Thailand Joint Military Exercise MAITREE-XV, scheduled from 18 to 31 August at Vibhavadi Rangsit Camp in Surat Thani. The bilateral exercise is designed to deepen defence cooperation and sharpen the two armies' ability to conduct joint operations in demanding terrain.
Contingent Composition
Both the Indian Army and the Royal Thai Army will field 85 personnel each for the exercise. India's contingent is drawn primarily from the 9 Gorkha Rifles, while Thailand's participating troops belong to the 3rd Battalion, 25th Infantry Brigade, 5th Division.
Training Focus and Activities
The exercise centres on company-level joint training for operations in jungle and semi-urban terrain, with a specific emphasis on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations conducted under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. Training modules will include field exercises, combat discussions, lectures, and live demonstrations. A culminating validation exercise will assess the combined operational capabilities developed over the fortnight.
Notably, soldiers from both nations will exchange operational experiences and showcase contemporary equipment and technologies, giving each side a clearer view of the other's procedures and battlefield capabilities.
Historical Context
Instituted in 2006, Exercise MAITREE has grown into a flagship bilateral defence platform between India and Thailand. The 14th edition was held at the Foreign Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya, in September 2025 — meaning this year's edition shifts the venue to Thai soil, maintaining the alternating-host tradition that has characterised the exercise series.
This is the 15th consecutive iteration of an exercise that has steadily expanded in scope, reflecting the broader deepening of India-Thailand strategic ties under India's Act East Policy.
Strategic Significance
The exercise carries weight beyond routine military training. Joint counter-terrorism drills under the UN Charter framework signal a shared commitment to regional security norms in Southeast Asia. For India, sustained military-to-military engagement with Thailand reinforces its posture in the Indo-Pacific and strengthens interoperability with ASEAN partners. The two countries continue to deepen defence ties through regular bilateral engagements, of which MAITREE is the most visible annual marker.
What Comes Next
The exercise concludes on 31 August, after which both contingents are expected to produce after-action reviews that inform future joint training design. The 16th edition's host and venue will likely be announced in the months following the exercise.
Point of View
The exercise has expanded from basic familiarisation drills to structured counter-terrorism operations under the UN Charter, which is a meaningful doctrinal evolution. What mainstream coverage often misses is the alternating-host dynamic: holding this edition on Thai soil signals mutual confidence at a time when several Indo-Pacific partnerships are under geopolitical strain. The real test of MAITREE's strategic value, however, lies in whether interoperability gains translate into coordinated responses to actual regional security challenges — something bilateral exercises alone cannot guarantee.
NationPress
17 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Exercise MAITREE-XV?
Exercise MAITREE-XV is the 15th edition of the India-Thailand Joint Military Exercise, running from 18 to 31 August at Vibhavadi Rangsit Camp in Surat Thani, Thailand. It focuses on company-level counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations in jungle and semi-urban terrain.
Which Indian unit is participating in MAITREE-XV?
India's contingent of 85 personnel is drawn primarily from the 9 Gorkha Rifles. Thailand is represented by 85 troops from the 3rd Battalion, 25th Infantry Brigade, 5th Division of the Royal Thai Army.
When was Exercise MAITREE first held?
Exercise MAITREE was instituted in 2006 and has since become an annual bilateral defence platform between India and Thailand. The 14th edition was held at the Foreign Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya, in September 2025.
What will the two armies train for during MAITREE-XV?
The two contingents will conduct company-level joint training for jungle and semi-urban operations, focusing on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist tasks under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. Activities include field exercises, combat discussions, lectures, demonstrations, and a culminating validation exercise.
Why does Exercise MAITREE matter strategically?
MAITREE is a cornerstone of India's Act East Policy and its defence engagement with ASEAN partners. Regular joint training enhances interoperability, enables exchange of operational best practices, and reinforces India's strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific alongside a key Southeast Asian ally.
