Indian soldiers polish Muay Thai skills in joint drills

Indian soldiers are honing their Muay Thai skills during joint military drills in Thailand, aimed at enhancing coordination between the two armies, the Indian Army reported on Friday. The 15th edition of the India-Thailand joint military exercise Maitree also emphasizes the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into joint operations, blending tactical expertise with modern technological advancements.

This aligns with the Indian Army's plans to incorporate tens of thousands of locally-produced UAVs and loitering munitions over the next five years, driven by their increasing significance in contemporary warfare, as seen in global conflicts like the US-Israel war with Iran.

The Muay Thai training provided the Indian contingent with an introduction to Thailand's traditional martial art, known as the "Art of Eight Limbs" for its comprehensive use of fists, elbows, knees, and shins. This training bolstered physical fitness, agility, and close-combat abilities while fostering cultural understanding and mutual camaraderie between the Indian and Thai troops. Also Read: Joint counter-terrorism mock drill conducted by Indian army, Karnataka police in Bengaluru

Spanning two weeks, the exercise took place at Vibhavadi Rangsit Camp in Surat Thani, Thailand, and will conclude on August 31. It brings together 85 personnel each from the Indian Army and the Royal Thai Army, comprising troops from the 9 Gorkha Rifles and the 3rd Battalion, 25th Infantry Brigade, respectively. The primary objective is to improve interoperability and share operational insights in conducting joint counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism missions in jungle and semi-urban terrains.

Training sessions included joint activities in jungle survival, first aid, casualty evacuation, trench-clearing drills, and the effective utilization of UAVs in supporting joint operations. The rising importance of drone warfare has become a strategic priority for the Indian military, with the armed forces seeking to acquire 80 distinct types of unmanned systems for various roles such as intelligence gathering, surveillance, precision strikes, munition dropping, air defense, jamming, mine warfare, data relay, and logistics, as outlined in a Technology Roadmap for Unmanned Aerial Systems and Loitering Munitions released in April.

In 2022, India and Thailand elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Thai counterpart Paetongtarn Shinawatra discussing avenues to enhance trade, investment, and cooperation in defense, security, cyber-crime prevention, and human trafficking countermeasures.