India–Myanmar Bilateral Tri-Services HADR Exercise ‘RAHAT MITRA’ Concludes in Chennai

KOCHI: The inaugural bilateral Tri-Services Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise ‘RAHAT MITRA’, conducted between the Defence Forces of India and Myanmar on November 5 and 6, 2026, successfully concluded in Chennai. The two-day joint exercise brought together personnel from the Indian Navy, Indian Army, and Indian Air Force alongside a delegation from the Myanmar Defence Forces to enhance operational interoperability, streamline disaster response protocols, and exchange best practices in multi-domain emergency management.

The exercise commenced with joint planning sessions and a Table-Top Exercise (TTX) centered on a severe cyclone scenario to refine coordinated response mechanisms. Participating contingents witnessed obstacle clearance and bridge-laying demonstrations by the Indian Army and visited INS Sukanya to inspect the Indian Navy’s shipborne HADR capabilities. On the final day, field medical triage and relief camp management were demonstrated at Military Hospital Chennai, while shore-based command infrastructure was showcased at INS Adyar and the Communication Network Centre. Operational displays featured Flood Relief Teams (FRT), maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) maneuvers using a Chetak helicopter with INS Bitra, and IAF casualty evacuation drills aboard an ALH, carrying Commodore Aung Niang Win and officers of the Myanmar delegation. The successful completion of Exercise ‘RAHAT MITRA’ reinforces bilateral defense cooperation and collective regional preparedness for disaster response under India’s maritime vision