27-2-2024 (BANGKOK) The annual Cobra Gold military exercise for 2024 commenced on Tuesday at U-Tapao International Airport in Rayong province, Thailand, with the armed forces of Thailand and the United States leading the event.
With a participation of 9,570 military and humanitarian personnel from various countries, Cobra Gold 2024 stands as the largest military exercise in Southeast Asia. The 43rd edition of Cobra Gold aims to enhance readiness against a wide array of national and international threats through joint military training exercises.
This year’s programme includes new training modules focusing on aerospace and cyber threats, reflecting contemporary security concerns.
Military forces from seven nations, namely Thailand, United States, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, South Korea, and Malaysia, will engage in the main war exercises. Additionally, personnel from 30 other countries will participate in humanitarian aid exercises and serve as observers.
The exercise is set to unfold until March 10 across different locations in Thailand, encompassing provinces like Lopburi, Chanthaburi, Sa Kaeo, and Rayong.
The opening ceremony, held on Tuesday, was co-presided by Thailand’s Chief of Defence Forces General Songwit Noonpakdee, US ambassador Robert F Godec, and the commander of US I Corps Lt General Xavier Brunson.
In his address, Ambassador Godec expressed gratitude to the Royal Thai Armed Forces for hosting the 43rd Cobra Gold. He also announced the readiness of the US Navy to assist in the limited salvaging mission of HTMS Sukhothai, a US-built corvette that sank in the Gulf of Thailand during a storm off Prachuap Khiri Khan province on December 18, 2022.
General Songwit emphasized the importance of the military exercise in enhancing cooperation among partner countries to address threats across various domains, including land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace. He expressed confidence that the exercise would contribute to the collective security and readiness of participating nations.
