Sri Lanka Army Clinches Gold at 9th Pakistan Army Team Spirit Competition
The Sri Lanka Army has won the gold medal at the 9th Pakistan Army Team Spirit (PATS) International Competition 2026, marking a significant achievement in international military cooperation and excellence.
This victory represents only the second time in history that the Sri Lanka Army has secured the top honour at this prestigious event, highlighting the growing professionalism and operational capability of Sri Lankan troops on the global stage.
The competition, which concluded at Kharian, Pakistan, brought together 24 teams, including contingents from 19 friendly foreign nations. Participants were subjected to intense physical, mental, and tactical challenges designed to simulate real-world combat and operational environments.
According to the Sri Lanka Army, the winning team demonstrated exceptional physical endurance, tactical precision, and advanced military skills under highly demanding conditions. Their performance received high praise from the international judging panel.
The Sri Lankan contingent improved on last year’s achievement, where they secured the silver medal, and advanced to gold in 2026. Military officials attributed this progress to rigorous training programmes, disciplined preparation, and unwavering dedication.
The Pakistan Army Team Spirit Competition is a 60-hour continuous patrolling exercise aimed at enhancing professional military competencies. It promotes the exchange of innovative ideas, tactical experiences, and best practices among participating forces, strengthening regional and global defence cooperation.
This year’s competition featured teams from Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Maldives, Morocco, Nepal, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Türkiye, the United States of America, Uzbekistan, and Indonesia. Myanmar and Thailand participated as observers.
In addition, sixteen teams from the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Navy took part, while observers from the Pakistan Air Force were also present.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces of Pakistan, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, commended all participating teams for their exceptional professionalism, operational competence, and high morale. He praised the soldiers’ physical and mental resilience displayed throughout the demanding exercise.
The Sri Lanka Army stated that the competition tested and confirmed the highest standards of physical strength, rapid response capability, and psychological readiness of its personnel. Officials noted that the gold medal reflects the Army’s continued commitment to enhancing combat readiness and international military cooperation.
The achievement is expected to further strengthen defence relations between Sri Lanka and Pakistan and reinforce Sri Lanka’s reputation as a disciplined and capable military force in multinational exercises.