A delegation of Myanmar Tatmadaw personnel participated in the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Exercise (HADR-2026), held in the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area in Chennai, India, from 5 to 7 November under the title “Ex Rahat Mitra”.
The delegation departed from Yangon International Airport for Chennai on 4 November aboard an Indian Army aircraft to participate in the exercise. During the exercise, the Myanmar Tatmadaw delegation paid a courtesy call on Flag Officer Commanding Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area (FOTNA) Rear-Admiral Upal Kundu, VSM, at the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Headquarters. The delegation also attended briefings by officials from the Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy and Air Force) on disaster relief activities.
The Myanmar Tatmadaw delegation leader explained the role of the Myanmar Tatmadaw in disaster relief operations. The delegation also conducted cyclone-based tabletop exercises, demonstrated the structure and equipment of the Flood Relief Column at Adyar Naval Base, carried out drone-based search and rescue exercises, and demonstrated the structure and equipment of the Engineering Task Force. It also observed demonstrations of HADR temporary bridge construction and obstacle clearance, as well as displays of HADR bricks.
In addition, the Myanmar delegation viewed displays of Disaster Relief Force equipment; accommodation and supplies for disaster victims; communal kitchen equipment and food; communication equipment; and personal items used by the Flood Relief Team. It also observed preparations for transporting patients aboard an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and loading disaster relief supplies; preparations for the Indian Army Medical Corps Field Hospital/MI Room; an Indian Navy search and rescue demonstration and the airdropping of relief supplies by a Chetak helicopter; and an Indian Navy search and rescue demonstration along the seashore using an ALH helicopter. Other activities included loading and unloading a patient on a stretcher using a hoisting motor and transporting a patient by helicopter. The Myanmar delegation attended a dinner hosted aboard an Indian Navy ship before returning to Yangon International Airport aboard an Indian Navy aircraft yesterday afternoon. – Htun Htun/MKKS