India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise 'Nomadic Elephant 2026' Begins in Uttarakhand

The 18th edition of the India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise, "NOMADIC ELEPHANT 2026", officially commenced on September 21 at the Foreign Training Node in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. The annual bilateral exercise, scheduled to run until October 3, is conducted alternately between India and Mongolia to foster military cooperation and tactical interoperability. Both the Indian Army and the Mongolian Armed Forces have deployed contingents of 45 personnel each for the platoon-level exercise. The training curriculum focuses primarily on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain under a United Nations mandate. Key operational drills include cordon and search operations, room intervention, special heliborne tactics, cyber security, and the integration of modern drone and counter-drone systems. Defence officials highlighted that Exercise Nomadic Elephant serves as a platform to share best operational practices, refine tactical procedures, and deepen bilateral strategic ties between the two friendly nations. The previous edition of the joint military exercise was hosted in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in May-June 2025.