PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE /Dehradun
Following the pros and cons of the latest interactions between India and China during the BRICS summit earlier this month, the 18th India-Mongolia joint military exercise, Nomadic Elephant 2026 began at the Foreign Training Centre in Pithoragarh on Monday. The exercise which will continue till October 3 is aimed at improving cooperation between the two armies in counter terrorism operations.
A total of 90 personnel, including 45 soldiers each from the Indian Army and Mongolian Armed Forces, are taking part in the exercise. The annual platoon level exercise is held alternately in India and Mongolia. The previous edition was conducted in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in May-June 2025.
The training will focus on operations in mountainous and semi-urban areas under a United Nations mandate. Soldiers from both countries will train together and share their operational experience and best practices.
The exercise will include cordon and search operations, room intervention drills, specialised helicopter operations and cyber security training. Soldiers will also practise the use of drones and counter-drone systems.
The exercise is important as it will help both armies improve their ability to operate together in realistic situations. It will also strengthen coordination and interoperability between the two forces.
The exercise will further strengthen defence cooperation between India and Mongolia and deepen mutual trust and friendship between the two countries, officials said.
