A 170-member contingent of the Indian Armed Forces departed for Sri Lanka on Friday to participate in the 12th edition of the joint military exercise ‘Mitra Shakti 2026’. The exercise will be held from November 13 to 26 at the Army Training School in Maduru Oya, Sri Lanka.
The Indian contingent primarily consists of personnel from a battalion of the Rajputana Rifles. It also includes soldiers from other branches and services of the Army, as well as personnel from the Indian Air Force.
The objective of this exercise is to enhance the joint operational capability of the armies of both nations to conduct counter-terrorism operations in semi-urban environments, in accordance with a United Nations mandate.
‘Mitra Shakti’ is an annual bilateral military exercise between India and Sri Lanka, hosted alternately by the two countries. It provides an opportunity for both armies to strengthen mutual coordination, share operational experiences, and learn best practices for counter-terrorism operations. Furthermore, it fosters mutual understanding and professional ties between the soldiers of both nations.
The 14-day exercise will focus on improving physical fitness, refining tactical drills, and strengthening coordination between the two military contingents. The training curriculum includes joint planning, the execution of tactical operations, and specialised combat skills.
Specific drills will include roadblock operations, urban patrolling, protection of military convoys, handling ambushes, crowd control, and joint operations against fortified positions. The exercise will culminate in a comprehensive validation phase, during which soldiers from both nations will jointly apply the strategies, techniques, and procedures learned throughout the training.
‘Mitra Shakti 2026’ is expected to further strengthen defence cooperation between India and Sri Lanka. This exercise will contribute to regional peace, stability, and security, while also strengthening the long-standing friendly relations and mutual trust between the two countries.
