Exercise MAITREE-XV
Defence & Security · Tuesday, 18 August 2026
Exercise MAITREE-XV, the latest edition of the joint military exercise between the armies of India and Thailand, featured among the day's key defence developments. The MAITREE series is aimed at enhancing interoperability and joint tactical cooperation between the two armies.
Quick highlights
- MAITREE-XV is the 15th edition of the India–Thailand joint army exercise series.
- The MAITREE series focuses on interoperability, joint training and tactical cooperation between the Indian and Royal Thai armies.
- Such exercises reinforce India's Act East Policy and defence engagement with ASEAN nations.
Context
Exercise MAITREE-XV, the 15th edition of the joint military exercise between India and Thailand, was among the key security developments covered on this date.
Key Facts
MAITREE is a bilateral joint army exercise conducted between the Indian Army and the Royal Thai Army, held periodically to enhance mutual training standards and interoperability. The 'XV' denotes the fifteenth edition of the series.
Significance
Joint exercises like MAITREE deepen military-to-military cooperation, build interoperability for joint operations, and strengthen India's strategic outreach to Southeast Asia under the Act East Policy.
Challenges / Way Forward
Sustained, regular editions of such bilateral exercises help institutionalize defence cooperation and expand its scope to newer domains of joint training.
Exam Angle
GS Paper III / Prelims — Defence exercises in the news. Remember MAITREE = India–Thailand (Army); frequently asked as a match-the-pairs question on bilateral military exercises.
Remember this
- Exercise MAITREE: joint army exercise between India and Thailand.
- MAITREE-XV is the 15th edition of the series.
- Objective: enhancing interoperability and joint tactical cooperation.
- Relevant to India's Act East Policy and defence diplomacy with ASEAN.
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