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Home / IAS Preparation / Cobra Gold

Cobra Gold Exercise - About Cobra Gold 2023, Participants, Important Facts, and More!

Last Updated on Jan 17, 2024
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The “Cobra Gold” Exercise began in 1982. It is the longest-running international military exercise in history. At a time when the US and China are becoming more competitive, it provides a crucial platform for the US to strengthen partnerships in Asia. In 2021, Cobra Gold featured various activities focusing on regional security and crisis responses. One such activity was the Combined Arms Live-Fire Exercise (CALFEX), where troops used live ammunition to engage predetermined targets while advancing. 

The Cobra Gold is significant for both the UPSC Prelims and Mains of the GS Paper 2. Study major topics of Indian Polity from the perspective of UPSC Exams.

In this article, we will provide you with all the features and necessary information on the Cobra Gold Exercise. 

What is Cobra Gold?

Cobra Gold is a military exercise between the U.S. and Thailand focused on communist groups in neighboring countries like Vietnam during the Cold War. The purpose of Cobra gold is to enhance coordination between the armed forces of the United States and Thailand in both hostile military and humanitarian efforts. The exercise was later modified to include peacekeeping, counterterrorism, disaster relief, and humanitarian aid training. 

Background of Cobra Gold

  • Cobra Gold military exercise premiered in 1982 during a coordinated amphibious landing by the Thai Navy and US Marines to boost bilateral military cooperation. The drills were termed Operation Teamwork at the time.
  • Thailand and the United States have been allies since joining the Southeast Asian Collective Defense Treaty (Manila Pact) in 1954 to halt the spread of communism.
  • Several joint exercises came after, but the first time the code “Cobra Gold” was used was in 1982 when it evolved into a thorough military exercise. The air force joined the same year, and in 1983, army personnel started participating.

Also, study more about Malabar Exercise here!

Is India a part of the Cobra Gold exercise?

  • India participated in this exercise for the first time in the ‘Observer Plus category in 2016 alongside China.
  • The Cobra Gold joint military exercise includes military forces from the United States, China, India, Indonesia, South Korea, and Australia.

Learn more about the Milan Exercise!

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About Cobra Gold 2023
  • The Cobra Gold 2023 exercise was held from February 28 to March 10, 2023. It took place in Thailand, with drills across multiple provinces.
  • This year's exercise marked the 42nd iteration of Cobra Gold. Participation in Cobra Gold 2023 signified 190 years of formal diplomatic relations between Thailand and the US.
  • Over 10,000 military personnel from 27 countries, including Thailand and the US, took part. This was the largest contingent of participating nations in Cobra Gold history.
  • The main focus was on joint military training exercises, including:
    • Live-fire drills
    • Mock amphibious attacks
    • Cyber defense and space operations
    • Humanitarian help and disaster relief (HADR) exercises
    • Civil engineering projects
    • Cultural exchange activities

Observer Nations

Participants

Laos

Cambodia

Brunei

Vietnam

Germany

Israel

Brazil

Sweden

Pakistan

Sri Lanka

Thailand

United States

Singapore

Japan

Indonesia

Malaysia

South Korea

Australia

Philippines

Canada

Mongolia

New Zealand

China (delegation only)

Denmark

France

India

United Kingdom

Fiji

Papua New Guinea

Bangladesh

Sri Lanka

Maldives

Netherlands

Oman

Vietnam (additional unit)

Also, Study International Organizations Reports here!

About Cobra Gold 2022
  • The Cobra Gold 2022 exercise was held from May 1 to 14, 2022. It took place in Thailand, with drills across multiple provinces. 
  • The exercise coincided with the 20th anniversary of the US-Thailand Security Cooperation Agreement.
  • Cobra Gold 2022 marked the 41st iteration of the exercise. The participation in Cobra Gold 2022 highlighted 189 years of diplomatic relations between Thailand and the US.
  • Over 7,000 military personnel from 20 countries, including Thailand and the US, took part in the exercise.
  • The focus shifted towards smaller, more specialized training teams due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the main focus areas included the following:
    • Joint military training exercises, including:
    • Command and control simulations.
    • Live-fire drills focused on small unit tactics and counterterrorism.
    • Increased emphasis on cyber defense and space domain awareness.
    • Continued focus on HADR exercises and civil engineering projects.
    • Cultural exchange activities remained a key component.
  • The below table gives the Observers and Participants of Cobra Gold 2022:

Observer Nations

Participants

Singapore

Japan

Indonesia

Malaysia

India

South Korea

Cambodia

Laos

Vietnam

Brunei

Australia

New Zealand

Nepal

China (delegation only)

Bangladesh

Sri Lanka

Maldives

Thailand

United States

Japan

Indonesia

Malaysia

Singapore

South Korea

Philippines

Australia

New Zealand

Cambodia

Laos

Mongolia

Vietnam

Denmark

France

India

Sri Lanka

Check more International Relations UPSC Notes!

India’s Exercises with Other Countries

The following table provides you with a list of important Indian bilateral army exercises.

Exercise Name

Participant Nations

Hand in Hand Exercise

India & China

SIMBEX

India & Singapore

CORPAT

India & Thailand

Sampriti

India & Bangladesh

Nomadic Elephant

India & Mongolia

Garuda Shakti

India & Indonesia

Shakti Exercise

India & France

Dharma Guardian

India & Japan

Surya Kiran

India & Nepal

Mitra Shakti

India & Sri Lanka

Maitree Exercise

India & Thailand

Vajra Prahar

India & US

Yudh Abhyas

India & US

Learn more about the India-China hand in hand exercise!

Important Facts About Cobra Gold Exercise 
  • Cobra Gold military exercise serves as a link that improves ties between the participating nations.
  • It is well known that Cobra Gold played a significant role in giving Thailand’s citizens access to health care.
  • Additionally, Cobra Gold has aided in the testing of military technology.
  • Chinese participation in the collaboration began in 2015, although they have just participated in training for aid with humanitarian causes so far.
  • India currently participates in the event as an observer.
  • This size of global military training exercise is unique. It is the biggest event jointly sponsored by Thailand and the United States, thanks to a joint task force and security drill.
  • The Cobra Gold tournament has been running since 1982.
  • Only ally partner states, Thailand and the United States, attended the event.
  • This exercise aims to improve cooperation between the armed forces of the United States and Thailand in carrying out military takeovers and humanitarian assistance.

Conclusion

The global planning augmentation team, which included military-grade officers from Canada, Bangladesh, Nepal, Fiji, France, New Zealand, Mongolia, Vietnam, Philippines, and the United Kingdom, participated in the Cobra Gold exercise. It has been going on for more than 40 years. The typical live-fire drills, amphibious landings, and evacuation operations won’t be part of the exercises. The renowned cobra-blood drinking rite that gives the wargames their name will also be missing.

Cobra Gold-Download PDF Here!

In this article, we analyzed in detail the significance and features of the Cobra Gold exercise. Aspirants can study more topics from the Indian Polity for UPSC with the Testbook App!

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Cobra Gold - FAQs

These nations took part in the exercise in 2020: Participants include Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, and the United States.

The multi-national Indo-Pacific military exercises known as Cobra Gold are staged in Thailand. They are among the most significant annual exercises of their sort.

Cobra Gold refers to the largest annual multi-national Indo-Pacific military exercises, which are held in Thailand.

Yes, India is a participant in the Cobra Gold exercise.

Cobra Gold has been shown to improve coordinated military response to natural catastrophes such as the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the 2011 Tsunami.
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