Ex MANTIS: Twelve years of cooperation with the Malaysian Armed Forces

Ex MANTIS: Twelve years of cooperation with the Malaysian Armed Forces

April 7, 2026 - Defence Stories

Estimated read time - 1:50

In February, members of the Canadian Joint Incident Response Unit (CJIRU) completed Exercise (Ex) MANTIS. The recurring training exercise, initiated in 2014 and now under the umbrella of Operation HORIZON, is a partnership effort between Canada and Malaysia to develop and strengthen Malaysia's chemical, biological and radiological response capability. The enduring nature of Ex MANTIS and CJIRU's relationship with the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) have made this event a staple of the Canadian Indo-Pacific Strategy, reinforcing the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command's (CANSOFCOM) enduring partnerships as part of the global Special Operations Forces (SOF) network.

Since its inception, Ex MANTIS has trained hundreds of MAF soldiers in basic chemical, biological and radiological defence, including on the usage of protective equipment and its maintenance, as well as the detection and mitigation of chemical hazards. MAF leaders, officers and senior non-commissioned officers have received training on how to plan missions to counter these threats, but also to learn how to plan and execute basic training for it.

Over time, CJIRU's contribution to Ex MANTIS helped the MAF build up their basic chemical, biological and radiological defence capability enough that the training shifted towards the development of the MAF's ability to jointly respond to a domestic terrorism incident. This year's serial pursued this goal further:

"Ex MANTIS 2026 focused on the tactical and technical integration of MAF elements to include SOF, Army, Navy, Air Force, and specialized chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) and medical units. Over the past four weeks, Special Operations Technical Collection Operators (SOTCOs) and the team's Special Operations Medical Technician (SOMT) provided training and mentorship to the MAF in urban tactics, exploitation, CBRN sampling and decontamination, provision of medical support and tactical and operational planning."

Formerly known as CBRN Operators, CJIRU's SOTCOs have a diverse range of tactical and technical skills which have evolved far beyond their foundational CBRN technical skills; today, they are experts in technical collection and full spectrum exploitation. Through the long-standing Canada-Malaysia partnership, SOTCOs have contributed to the MAF's capabilities including how to secure a target objective, conduct technical collection of exploitable material or agents, react to dynamic threats such as opposing forces or improvised explosive devices and treating wounded and contaminated casualties.

Throughout the last 12 years, a small number of CJIRU members have fostered a strong and enduring relationship with the MAF based on cooperation, coordination and interoperability, with a focus on shared security interests and mutual benefit as we work together to address common security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.