The eleventh edition of the India-Sri Lanka 'Mitra Shakti' annual joint military exercise will be held at the Foreign Training Node of Karnataka's Belagavi from November 10 to 23, the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) of the Indian Army said.
The objective is to enhance the operational synergy between Indo-Sri Lankan forces in conducting joint operations across urban and semi-urban terrain. "The exercise underscores the shared commitment of India and Sri Lanka towards regional peace and security, while further strengthening Defence Cooperation, camaraderie, and mutual trust between the two forces," ADGPI said.
From the video released on X alongside the announcement, it is safe to expect sniffer dogs, drone warfare, close contact, and hand-in-hand combat being part of the exercise. Special Heliborne Operations, Cordon & Search Operations, besides the employment of Drones and Counter Drone Systems, among others, are also expected to be carried out by the two forces.
The tenth edition of the drill was hosted by the Army Training School in Sri Lanka's Maduru Oya from August 12 to 25 last year. A 106-strong battalion of Rajputana Rifles along with personnel from other arms and services had travelled to the island nation to take part in the drill alongside the Gajaba Regiment of the Sri Lankan Army. In 2023, it was Pune that hosted the exercise.
“Exercise MITRA SHAKTI will enable both sides to share best practices in Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures of conducting joint operations. It will facilitate developing interoperability, bonhomie, and camaraderie between the two armies. The Joint Exercise will also enhance defence cooperation, further augmenting bilateral relations between the two friendly nations,” the Ministry of Defence had said in a release ahead of the 2024 edition of the joint exercise.