Nomadic Elephant 2026: India-Mongolia Military Exercise
Nomadic Elephant 2026 Begins in Pithoragarh
The Nomadic Elephant 2026 exercise began at the Foreign Training Node in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. The 18th India-Mongolia joint military exercise will run from 21 September to 3 October 2026.
The annual platoon-level exercise takes place alternately in India and Mongolia. The Indian Army and Mongolian Armed Forces have each deployed 45 personnel for the current edition.
Focus on Joint Military Operations
The exercise aims to improve joint capabilities for counter-insurgency operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain. The training will follow a United Nations mandate.
Both armies will conduct tactical-level training during the exercise. They will exchange operational practices and refine their military drills. The programme will also improve interoperability between the participating forces.
Training activities include Cordon and Search Operations and Room Intervention Drills. Troops will also practise Special Heliborne Operations and cyber security procedures.
The exercise will further cover the use of drones and counter-drone systems. These activities will expose personnel to realistic operational situations. Joint training will help both forces improve their ability to coordinate during missions.
The previous edition took place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, during May–June 2025.
The Nomadic Elephant 2026 exercise will strengthen defence cooperation between India and Mongolia. It will also reinforce the longstanding friendship and mutual trust between the two countries.
