India, Malaysia Hold 4th Joint Military Exercise HARIMAU SHAKTI

The 4th India-Malaysia Joint Military Exercise, HARIMAU SHAKTI, has begun today at the Bentong camp in the Pahang district of Malaysia. This exercise will be held from 2nd December to 15th December 2024. The Indian contingent has 78 personnel, while the Malaysian contingent has 123 personnel from The Royal Malaysian Regiment. HARIMAU SHAKTI is an annual exercise conducted by both India and Malaysia on each other's soil, lastly held in November 2023 at Umroi Cantonment in Meghalaya, India.

Aim of the Joint Exercise is to enhance joint military capability of both sides to undertake counter insurgency operations in jungle terrain under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate. The exercise will focus on operations in the jungle environment.

The exercise will be conducted in two phases. The first phase will be focused on cross training between both the Armies including lectures, demonstrations, and practices of various drills in jungle terrain. In the final phase both the Armies will take active part in a simulated exercise, wherein troops will execute various drills including Anti-MT Ambush, Occupation of Harbour, Carrying out Recce Patrol, Ambush and an Attack on area taken over by the terrorists.

Exercise HARIMAU SHAKTI will enable both sides to share best practices in Tactics, Techniques and Procedures of conducting joint operations. It will facilitate developing inter-operability, bonhomie and camaraderie between the two armies. The Joint Exercise will also enhance defence cooperation, further augmenting bilateral relations between the two friendly nations.