IRIA News

The largest and longest-standing multinational military exercise of the Asia-Pacific region, Cobra Gold, was held on Thailand’s east coast from February 27 to March 7, 2024. More than 9,000 military personnel from 30 different countries participated in the exercise.

The annual military drill is aimed at enhancing interoperability, strengthening relations among the participating nations, as well as handling cyber security threats and national disasters. Troops from Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and the U.S. conducted combat rehearsals at five locations, including amphibious landings, strategic parachute jumps, ground and air live-fire, and cyber warfare.

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) did not participate in combat drills, however, a contingent of China’s People’s Republic Army (PLA) was present in Thailand during the course of the military exercises and participated in the civic action missions along with India, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia and other participants.

💥💥Amphibious Exercise!💥💥

Elements of the U.S. Marine Corps, Royal Thai Marine Corps, the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, and two F-16 Fighting Falcons coordinate actions during an amphibious assault of Hat Yao beach on March 1, 2024, in Chonburi Province, Kingdom of Thailand pic.twitter.com/alaMyib73Y

— Exercise Cobra Gold (@ExerciseCG) March 2, 2024

Premiered in 1982, this year’s Cobra Gold exercise displayed greater arrays of sophisticated military hardware as it follows its heavy-year format of a two-year cycle. This is the first time that the Cobra Gold has been arranged at a larger scale since the COVID-19 pandemic. The war games were scaled down in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc across the globe that year.

Chief of Defence Forces for the Royal Thai Armed Forces Gen. Songwit Noonpackdee said, “Up to now, 30 partner nations have participated in the exercise, comprising almost 9,000 troops. We have expanded the scope of military operations to address the full spectrum of threats across all domains…aimed at promoting collaboration to enhance regional stability.”

US sent the largest contingent

As the co-host for the event, the United States sent more than 4,500 servicemembers from the United States Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marines to participate in the Cobra Gold exercise this year.

A statement released by the U.S. military’s Indo-Pacific highlighted the geopolitical significance of the large-scale exercise stating that “Command Cobra Gold is the largest joint exercise in mainland Asia and a concrete example of the strong alliance and strategic relationship between Thailand and the United States, as well as an example of the strong cooperative relationship with other allies and partners participating in the exercise.”

The @7thID and the 1st Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, practice movement techniques at a small arms range during Exercise Cobra Gold 24, Feb. 29, 2024, in Sa Kaeo Province, Thailand. pic.twitter.com/9ZdZoGU8vd

— U.S. Army Pacific (@USARPAC) March 2, 2024

While speaking at the opening ceremony of the exercise at Thailand’s Utapao Navy Camp Base in Rayong province, the U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Robert Godec said the drill will prepare the participating nations for a multinational response to “new and emerging challenges” that are complex and that no single country can solve.

“In the last 20 years, the nations represented here have trained together, with that training put to operational use in responding to seismic and life-threatening events,” said Godec. “Only through cooperation can we rise to these challenges and keep our people safe by providing a solid foundation for regional security and inclusive prosperity,” he added.

Commanding General of the U.S. I Corps and Joint Base Lewis-McChord said that Cobra Gold is a “decades-long example of the enduring partnerships that bind our nations together. As we train and learn from each other, we symbolize the strength that comes from unity, shared goals, and the commitment to regional stability.”

Cobra Gold provided participating military personnel a platform to refine their strategies, test readiness, and cultivate friendships. The multinational exercise also promoted multinational cooperation and shared goals and security commitments in the Indo-Pacific region.

Myanmar was not invited

All nations of the ASEAN region participated in the large-scale military drills in some capacity, except Myanmar. The controversial armed forces of Myanmar, Tatmadaw, was not invited to join the Cobra Gold joint military exercise.

Since staging a coup against Myanmar’s elected government in February 2021, the Tatmadaw has been accused of committing grave atrocities and human rights violations throughout the country. Thailand has been one of the most vocal critics of the ongoing situation in Myanmar among all the ASEAN countries. Myanmar has not been a part of the Cobra Gold military drills since 2021.