Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand and the US will co-host the 45th iteration of Cobra Gold from February 24 to March 6, with more than 8,000 personnel from 30 countries expected to take part.
Seven primary participants - Thailand, the US, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Malaysia - will form the core exercise forces.
China, India and Australia will join in selected activities. Cambodia is not participating this year.
Rotational participation includes 10 countries in the Multinational Planning Augmentation Team, namely Bangladesh, Canada, Fiji, France, the UK, Italy, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand and the Philippines, to support operational planning and coordination.
Another 10 nations - Brunei, Germany, Jordan, Laos, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Timor-Leste and Vietnam - will join the Combined Observer Liaison Team (COLT).
The exercises aim to strengthen defence ties, improve interoperability, and enhance joint and combined operational capabilities in line with the evolving global security environment.
First launched in 1982, Cobra Gold is one of the longest-running annual multinational military exercises in the region.
According to the Royal Thai Armed Forces, the Cobra Gold joint exercise has been conducted continuously over a long period, thereby helping to develop the military capabilities of the Thai army. The exchange of knowledge, expertise, and military technology among participating countries enhances the experience of military personnel, strengthens the ability to manage disaster relief efforts in the region, and promotes cooperation between countries./.
US provides 45 million USD to reinforce Thailand–Cambodia agreement
The US will allocate 15 million USD for border stabilisation to help communities recover and to support people displaced by the recent conflict, and 10 million USD for demining and clearing of unexploded ordnance.
