Thiruvananthapuram to host joint military exercise between Indian Army and Maldivian National Defence Force

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The sixth joint military training exercise involving the Indian Army and the Maldivian National Defence Force will be held at Military Station here from from August 31 to September 13.

A total of 45 Marines from the Maldivian National Defence Force and 45 soldiers of the Indian Army will take part in the exercise titled "Ex-Ekuverin 2015", a defence release said here today.

The bilateral annual exercise, which commenced in 2009 in Belgaum, is alternately held in India and Maldives with the aim of enhancing military cooperation between the two countries and increased understanding between the Indian Army and Maldives National Defence Force.

The exercise is the first joint one involving an international contingent to be conducted in Kerala capital.

The concluding phase of the exercise, incorporating a tactical exercise, will be witnessed by senior military officers from both the countries, who will review the standards achieved by both the contingents, the release said.