The fourth edition of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Military Exercise ‘MITRA SHAKTI 2016’ was conducted at Sinha Regimental Centre in Ambepussa, Sri Lanka from 24 October to 06 November 2016.
“Mitra Shakti” series of bilateral exercises is one of the major bilateral defence cooperation initiatives between India and Sri Lanka since 2013.
The main focus of this edition of the joint exercise is to enhance inter-operability while carrying out Counter Insurgency (CI)/Counter Terrorism (CT) operations under the United Nations Mandate.
The Indian Contingent was represented by a platoon from the RAJPUTANA RIFLES Regiment and the Sri Lankan Army was represented by a platoon from the Sinha Regiment.
In the initial two stages, both armies got familiar with the respective methodology of such operations, each other’s arms and equipment and the command and control systems.
It then graduated towards tactical understanding to enhance inter operability while carrying out Counter Insurgency (CI)/Counter Terrorism (CT) operations.
The previous exercise with the Sri Lankan Army was successfully conducted in the month of September 2015 at Pune in India.