INDIA- SRI LANKA JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE MITRA SHAKTI COMMENCES IN MADURU OYA, SRI LANKA

At the Army Training School in Maduru Oya, Sri Lanka, the tenth iteration of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Military Exercise MITRA SHAKTI got underway today. The exercise is slated to take place in 2024 from August 12 to August 25.

Along with members of other arms and services, a Battalion of Rajputana Rifles is representing the 106-person Indian contingent. Personnel from the Sri Lankan Army’s Gajaba Regiment are representing the country. An annual training exercise called Joint Exercise MITRA SHAKTI is alternately held in Sri Lanka and India. The previous event took place in November 2023 at Pune.

Aim of the Joint Exercise is to enhance joint military capability of both sides to undertake counter insurgency operations in a Sub Conventional scenario under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate. The exercise will focus on operations in the semi-urban environment.

Aside from using drones and counter-drone systems, other tactical drills to be practiced during the exercise include: Response to a Terrorist Action; Establishment of a Joint Command Post; Establishment of an Intelligence & Surveillance Centre; Securing of a Helipad/Landing Site; Small Team Insertion & Extraction; Special Heliborne Operations; Cordon & Search Operations.

Both sides will be able to exchange best practices for joint operation tactics, techniques, and procedures during Exercise MITRA SHAKTI. It will help the two militaries’ mutual understanding, comradery, and interoperability to grow. The two friendly countries’ bilateral relations will be further strengthened by the Joint Exercise, which will also improve defence cooperation.