India and Malaysia launch joint military exercise 'Harimau Shakti 2023' in Northeast

The Indian and Malaysian armies commenced the joint bilateral training exercise, ‘Exercise Harimau Shakti 2023’, on October 23, aiming to strengthen military ties between the countries in Umroi , Meghalaya. This year's edition of the exercise, according to the official statement, focuses on enhancing military capabilities for conducting ‘Multi-Domain’ operations in ‘sub-conventional’ scenarios and is scheduled to run until November 5.

Harimau Shakti-23: unfolding the next 12 days

The Malaysian Army contingent, hailing from the 5th Royal Battalion, is partnering with a battalion from the Rajput regiment, leading the charge for the Indian side. Multi-Domain Operations involve synchronised use of land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace in warfare. Sub-Conventional scenarios pertain to non-traditional conflicts, often involving ‘irregular forces’. These situations require specialised strategies due to their complexity and involvement of non-state actors.

Approximately 120 personnel from both sides are slated to participate in the exercise. A key focus will be the establishment of a Joint Command Post and an integrated surveillance grid, along with a Joint Surveillance Centre, as stated by the Ministry of Defence. The exercise will also include rehearsals in jungle, semi-urban, and urban environments for the employment of joint forces. Furthermore, as per the MoD, Intelligence collection, collation, and dissemination drills will be a component, alongside the utilisation of Drones/UAVs and Helicopters. Additionally, both sides will practise casualty management and evacuation procedures. Logistics management discussions and survival training at the Battalion level are also on the agenda for ‘Harimau Shakti.’

The annual exercise places a strong emphasis on achieving a high degree of physical fitness, tactical level drills, and knowledge sharing of best practices, the MoD stated. The exercise is set to culminate in a 48-hour validation exercise in a semi-urban area.

"Exercise Harimau Shakti" serves as a cornerstone for enhancing defence cooperation between the Indian Army and the Malaysian Army.

Harimau Shakti 2022

Last year, "Harimau Shakti 2022" took place in Pulai, Kluang, Malaysia, commencing on November 28 and concluding on December 12. Combat-experienced troops from the Garhwal Rifles Regiment of the Indian Army and the Royal Malay Regiment of the Malaysian Army participated, sharing operational experiences to enhance ‘interoperability’ in planning and executing operations in jungle terrain. The exercise, as per available data, includes a Command Planning Exercise (CPX) at the Battalion level and a Company-level Field Training Exercise (FTX) focusing on sub-conventional operations in jungle terrain.

The joint exercise in the last edition was marked by the establishment of a joint command post, joint surveillance centre, expertise sharing in the deployment of aerial assets, technical demonstrations, and planning of logistics at the Battalion level. It concluded with a two-day validation exercise, placing special emphasis on enhancing tactical skills and fostering the desired ‘interoperability’ between the forces, strengthening ‘Army to Army relations’, as per Defence sources.