The Ministry of Defence has announced the start of the 18th India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT at Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand. The bilateral training programme brings together soldiers from both countries to build shared military skills in counter-insurgency operations. This annual exercise rotates between the two nations and helps strengthen defence ties.
Exercise Details and Content
The exercise runs from 21 September to 3 October 2026 at the Foreign Training Node in Pithoragarh. Both the Indian Army and Mongolian Armed Forces are sending 45 personnel each to participate. The previous edition took place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, between May and June 2025.
The training focuses on building joint capabilities for counter-insurgency work in semi-urban and mountainous settings, particularly under United Nations operations. Soldiers will work on tactical-level operations and share best practices with their counterparts.
The curriculum covers several practical areas:
- Cordon and Search Operations
- Room Intervention Drills
- Special Heliborne Operations
- Cyber Security Training
- Drone deployment and counter-drone systems
The exercise also emphasises improving how the two armies work together, refining operational procedures, and training in realistic combat scenarios.
What This Means for You
While this is primarily a military engagement between India and Mongolia, it reflects India’s broader defence partnerships in Asia. The exercise demonstrates how India maintains and strengthens ties with neighbouring countries through joint training and knowledge exchange. For those interested in military affairs or international relations, this shows the practical nature of how friendly nations build operational compatibility and trust through regular structured interaction.