America tested some of its newest military technologies with its oldest Asian ally.  The United States unveiled never-before-seen drone-busting devices and tested them with Thai troops during the 44th Cobra Gold multilateral military exercises in Thailand.

Soldiers from both countries conducted drills using stinger missiles, one of the most effective battlefield weapons, as they strove to increase interoperability between the two armed forces.

The exercises co-hosted in the Kingdom by Thailand and the U.S., are the largest in the Indo-Pacific region and the largest in which the American military is involved. Over 8,000 troops from 30 countries are taking part, although some are just observers. In recent years, Cobra Gold has expanded its focus to include the ability to respond to disasters and provide rescue and relief. Asia is the region most vulnerable to natural disasters.

Drones have become a major threat in armed conflicts with established militaries and non-state actors employing them with deadly effect. They have become a dominant weapon in the war in Ukraine.

“Identification of these drones is a huge challenge, as well as getting that … Dronebuster operator in the right spot to actually be effective and take a shot at that drone,” said Capt. Tyler Schultz, an observer coach and trainer with the 196th Infantry Brigade, based at Fort Shafter, Hawaii.

The Stars and Stripes website reported that the Dronebuster used in the drills was a prototype developed from an existing system. The swarm attacked troops twice during the drill, but not all drones were repelled in time.

“It’s one thing to train to counter [drones] in an air-conditioned room with field support techs nearby,” Schultz said. “It’s another thing to do so under sleep deprivation, when there’s language barriers at play and it’s remote.”

Thailand and the United States have been co-hosting Cobra Gold since 1982. The Kingdom was the first nation in Asia to sign a treaty with the United States in 1833.