India to participate in Cobra Gold 2016 military exercise in Thailand

Cobra Gold: A multilateral amphibious military exercise in Thailand.

The term Cobra Gold was in news on 3 February 2016 as India confirmed its participation in the annual amphibious military exercise in 2016.

The decision in this regard was conveyed to Thailand, the host country, during Vice President Hamid Ansari’s visit to the country.

About Cobra Gold

• It is the largest Asia-Pacific military exercise and held in Thailand every year.
• It is among the largest multinational military exercise in which the United States participates.
• As of 2014, Cobra Gold has three distinct activities, namely, the Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise (CALFEX), Command Post Exercise (CPX) and activity related to assisting the local Thai population.
• It was first held in 1982 to improve coordination between the armed forces of the USA and Thailand in both hostile military and humanitarian efforts.
• As of 2015, the exercise expanded to include 26 nations - Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and other South Asian and Pacific Ocean countries among others.
• China was admitted to the exercise for the first time in 2015.
• The exercise was proven effective in improving coordinated military response to natural disasters, including the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2011 Tōhoku tsunami, and disaster relief provided to the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan struck in November 2013.

Now get latest Current Affairs on mobile, Download # 1  Current Affairs App