INDIA- MONGOLIA JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE
Why in News?
The 18th edition of the India–Mongolia joint military exercise “Nomadic Elephant” commenced on 21 September 2026 at the Foreign Training Node, Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand) and will run till 3 October 2026.
Key Information
- Nature of the Exercise: It is a bilateral, annual platoon-level military exercise conducted alternately between India and Mongolia.
- Troop Participation: A total of 90 personnel are participating, represented by 45 soldiers each from the Indian Army and the Mongolian Armed Forces.
- Core Objective: The joint training aims to enhance capabilities to undertake Counter-Insurgency Operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain under a United Nations Mandate.
- Key Training Curriculum: The two-week curriculum focuses on tactical-level drills, including:
- Cordon and Search Operations
- Room Intervention Drills
- Special Heliborne Operations
- Cyber Security Training and the deployment of drones/counter-drone systems
- Interoperability: The platform allows both armies to exchange operational experiences, refine drills, and strengthen their shared ability to operate jointly in realistic sub-conventional conflict scenarios.
- Historical Context: The 17th edition was hosted by Mongolia at Ulaanbaatar in May–June 2025. The exercise dates back to its first iteration in 2004, acting as a pillar to reinforce mutual trust and defence cooperation between the two nations.
- Apart from this bilateral exercise, India also regularly participates in Exercise Khaan Quest, a multinational peacekeeping exercise hosted annually by Mongolia.
