Enriching efforts toward a more secure and stable Indo-Pacific region, the Philippine Army participated in the inaugural edition of the Indian Army’s Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region – I Field Training Exercise (PRAGATI-I FTX) held at Umroi Cantonment, India, from May 18 to 31, 2026.
Around 400 military personnel from 13 participating countries—India, the Philippines, Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam—took part in a series of coordinated security exercises and operational challenges.
The exercise featured integrated field training activities where delegates worked in mixed multinational units. Training scenarios included special heliborne operations, rifle sniper competitions, checkpoint and search procedures, target raids, and ambush operations.
The inaugural exercise was designed to build synergy among participating forces, strengthen mutual understanding, and support the development of a structured regional military cooperation framework aligned with United Nations (UN) peacekeeping principles.
It also focused on improving tactics, techniques, and procedures to enhance interoperability among partner militaries. The Indian Army likewise presented its organizational structure, operational capabilities, and briefings on its defense industry ecosystem.
The Philippine Army underscored its continued commitment to regional cooperation and stability, emphasizing participation in multilateral exercises as part of strengthening its operational readiness and contribution to peace and security efforts in the region.