Indian soldiers are polishing their Muay Thai skills during ongoing joint drills in Thailand aimed at boosting interoperability between the two armies, the Indian Army said on Friday.
India and Thailand Enhance Military Cooperation
The Indian Army has reported that Muay Thai training has fostered cultural understanding and camaraderie between the Indian and Thai contingents. This traditional martial art, known as the “Art of Eight Limbs,” focuses on the coordinated use of fists, elbows, knees, and shins, enhancing physical conditioning and close-combat skills.
In addition to martial arts training, both nations engaged in joint exercises aimed at improving interoperability in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations. The training included jungle survival, first aid, casualty evacuation, trench-clearing drills, and the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to support joint operations.
As drone warfare gains importance in modern combat, the Indian military has identified a need for 80 different types of unmanned systems for various roles, including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, precision strikes, and logistics. This was outlined in a Technology Roadmap for Unmanned Aerial Systems and Loitering Munitions released in April.
Last year, India and Thailand elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra discussed ways to strengthen trade, investment, and cooperation in defense, security, cybercrime prevention, and human trafficking.
