India and Mongolia Launch 18th Nomadic Elephant Military Exercise in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand

Key facts

• The 18th edition of the India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise Nomadic Elephant 2026 commenced on September 21, 2026, at the Foreign Training Node in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, and will run until October 3, 2026.
• The Indian Army and the Mongolian Armed Forces are participating with 45 personnel each in the annual platoon-level exercise.
• The primary objective is to enhance joint military capability to conduct Counter-Insurgency Operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain under a United Nations mandate.
• The training curriculum includes Cordon and Search Operations, Room Intervention Drills, Special Heliborne Operations, Cyber Security Training, and the employment of drones and counter-drone systems.
• The 17th edition of the exercise was held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in May-June 2025, as the exercise alternates between the two countries annually.