The annual Cobra Gold joint exercise has officially commenced, bringing together more than 8,000 troops from Thailand, the United States, and partner nations.

Co-hosted by the Royal Thai Armed Forces and the United States Indo-Pacific Command, the drills will run from February 23 to March 6, 2026.

Cobra Gold remains one of the largest and longest-running multinational military exercises in the Indo-Pacific region, focusing on joint operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), amphibious assaults, and command post interoperability.

Defense officials say the exercise underscores enduring alliance cooperation and strengthens regional readiness amid evolving security challenges.