India, Malaysia to begin Harimau Shakti 2026 military exercise on November 18
(Image courtesy: Sceenshot of a video shared by X/@adgpi)
New Delhi: India and Malaysia will hold their joint military exercise Harimau Shakti 2026 from November 18 to 30, seeking to strengthen coordination and professional cooperation between their armies. The training follows previous editions involving counterterrorism, counterinsurgency and other operations below the threshold of conventional warfare.
In an official post on X, the Indian Army’s Additional Directorate General of Public Information announced preparations for the exercise, saying it aims at “enhancing interoperability, strengthening professional military cooperation and fostering mutual understanding between the two Armies”.
The venue, participating units, troop strength and detailed training programme have not yet been announced.
Interoperability means that personnel from different militaries can communicate, plan and operate together using compatible procedures. Such training helps both armies exchange operational experience and develop coordination for joint or multinational assignments.
What happened during previous editions?
The previous exercise took place at Rajasthan’s Mahajan Field Firing Range from December 5 to 18, 2025. According to India’s defence ministry, the Indian contingent primarily comprised Dogra Regiment personnel, while Malaysia fielded troops from the 25th Battalion of the Royal Malaysian Army.
Training included cordon-and-search and search-and-destroy drills, helicopter-borne operations, securing landing areas, casualty evacuation, combat reflex shooting and the Army Martial Arts Routine.
The exercise rehearsed counterterrorism operations under a UN Chapter VII framework, which covers Security Council measures to address threats to international peace and security.
In December 2024, the two armies trained at Bentong Camp in Pahang, Malaysia. The Indian contingent comprised 78 Mahar Regiment personnel and the Malaysian side 123 Royal Malaysian Regiment troops, with a focus on jungle counterinsurgency, reconnaissance and ambush drills.
These successive editions provided opportunities to practise coordinated military operations across different environments. However, their training programmes are not confirmed plans for 2026.
India-Malaysia defence cooperation expands
India and Malaysia elevated bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in August 2024.
During a visit by the prime minister, Narendra Modi, in February 2026, both governments welcomed continued defence exercises, training exchanges and industry cooperation, and agreed terms of reference for establishing a strategic affairs working group and a Su-30 Forum.
A July 1 meeting of the bilateral subcommittee on military cooperation in New Delhi reviewed joint exercises, staff talks and training, alongside potential cooperation in defence technology, cybersecurity and disaster relief. Both countries also work together in the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus counterterrorism framework.
Their naval cooperation is separate from Harimau Shakti. During the fourth edition of Samudra Laksamana in September, INS Mysore exercised with Malaysian warships KD Lekir and KD Gagah Samudera off Lumut, as RNA Media reported.
