3-2-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) Malaysia is set to participate in the 43rd Cobra Gold, the largest multinational military exercise in Southeast Asia, hosted by the Royal Thai Armed Forces and the United States Indo-Pacific Command. The exercise will take place in Thailand from February 27 to March 10 and will involve troops from 30 nations.
With a total of 9,590 personnel from various countries, the annual Cobra Gold drills aim to strengthen military relations among participating allies, enhance their ability to conduct joint and multilateral operations, and practice procedures for a multinational force in emergency situations.
Brigadier General Samsul Rizal Musa, the Defence Attaché at the Malaysian Embassy in Thailand, stated that Malaysia’s participation in Cobra Gold marks the seventh time the country has taken part in the exercise. Around 80 armed forces personnel from Malaysia will join the annual event this year.
Malaysia is one of the seven fully-participating countries in this edition of Cobra Gold, along with Thailand, the United States, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, and South Korea.
The main exercises planned for this year’s event include the Humanitarian/Civic Assistance (HCA), the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Tabletop Exercise (HADRTTX), the Command Post Exercise (CPX), and the Field Training Exercise (FTX). Additionally, Thailand and the United States will conduct a light salvage operation for the sunken HTMS Sukhothai in the Gulf of Thailand, which occurred in 2022.
US Ambassador to Thailand, Robert F. Godec, emphasized that this year’s Cobra Gold will contribute to regional security and inclusive prosperity. He highlighted the importance of the Indo-Pacific region, through which up to 60% of the world’s maritime trade passes. Godec stated that Cobra Gold maintains shared readiness to secure the global commons, particularly with the rise of piracy in key shipping routes worldwide. Safeguarding Indo-Pacific maritime trade routes ensures the free flow of goods and services, benefiting businesses and consumers alike by keeping transportation costs low and facilitating economic growth.
The participation of Malaysia and other nations in the 43rd Cobra Gold exercise reflects the commitment to regional security and cooperation in addressing emerging challenges in the Southeast Asian region.
