At the Cobra Gold military exercise (Photo: AFP/VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Cobra Gold, one of theAsia-Pacific region’s largest and longest-standing multinational militaryexercises, kicked off on February 27 on Thailand’s east coast, with theparticipation of 9,590 military personnel from 30 countries.
The annual drill, which will last until March 8, is aimedat enhancing interoperability, strengthening relations among the participatingnations, as well as handling cyber security threats and national disasters.
At the exercises’ opening ceremony at Utapao Navy Camp Basein Rayong province, US Ambassador to Thailand Robert Godec said the drill willprepare the participating nations for a multinational response to "new andemerging challenges" that are complex and that no single country can solve.
Through the exercises, the participating countries can overcomechallenges and ensure the safety of their people by providing a solidfoundation for regional security and inclusive prosperity, he added.
As the event’s co-host, the US sent over 4,200 personnelthis year while Japan dispatched about 190 personnel, up from some 150 lastyear.
Singapore, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea and Malaysia arealso participating in the full exercises while China, India and Australia arejoining on a limited basis./.
