What is Harimau Shakti? All you need to know about India-Malaysia's joint exercise focusing jungle warfare

As the second phase of the Indian and Malaysian armies' joint military exercise 'Harimau Shakti' begins on Monday, here are some major facts that you must know:

1: The exercise is being conducted in Hulu Langat forest of Malaysia under harsh and humid conditions.

2: During the field training exercise, combat engineers from the Indian Army deactivated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

3: The sappers team from 3 Engineer regiment of the Indian Army are training with the Malaysian Army combat engineers as a part of their first joint exercise.

4: The joint exercise, which will go on till May 13, is aimed at sharing the expertise of both the contingents in conducting counterinsurgency operations in a jungle terrain. 

5: The Malaysian contingent is being represented by troops from 1 Royal Ranjer Regiment and the Royal Malay Regiment, known for their experience in jungle warfare.

The military exercise comes a month after the Indian Air Force’s massive exercise named Gagan Shakti.

From Sukhoi 30 to C-17, over 1,000 aircraft participated in the largest exercise of the Indian Air Force in three decades.   

The military exercise began on April 10 and concluded on April 23. The IAF mobilised more than 1,100 combat, transport and rotary wing (helicopter) aircraft in order to practice the real time scenario. The day and night exercise, was being conducted along Pakistan border in the Western areas. The forces later switched to China border in the Northern areas.

As per the protocol, both Pakistan and China were informed about the military exercise. However, the sheer scale of Gagan Shakti may have worried Islamabad and Beijing. All this despite the fact that the Indian Air Force has just 31 fighter squadron instead of 42 required for a two-front war.

In order to maintain optimum turn around, keeping the aircraft Combat ready; Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) had placed their technicians at the maintenance bases.