Nomadic Elephant 2026 Begins in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh

The 18th edition of the annual military exercise between India and Mongolia named Nomadic Elephant 2026 kicked off on Monday in the Foreign Training Node of Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. The annual platoon-level military exercise will go on till October 3 and will include 45 troops from the Indian Army and Mongolian Armed Forces respectively. Carried out alternately in India and Mongolia, the exercise aims at developing joint operational capacity in counter-insurgency operations in semi-urban and mountainous areas under the United Nations mandate.

Nomadic Elephant 2026 – What Is It About?

Nomadic Elephant is an annual military exercise carried out by India and Mongolia bilaterally. The 2026 edition will be carried out in Pithoragarh and includes 45 troops from both sides.

The previous edition took place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia in May-June 2025.

The exercise is aimed at boosting tactical coordination and interoperability between the armies of the two countries.

Counter-Insurgency Operations as the Focus

The main aim of Nomadic Elephant 2026 exercise is to enhance the capacity of the two armies in conducting counter-insurgency operations in difficult terrains.

The training is taking place focusing on,

• Semi-urban and mountainous terrains
• Tactical level operations
• Operational drill development
• Sharing of best practices
• Coordination and interoperability
• Operations under the mandate of the UN

The soldiers will get involved in practical scenarios to test their coordination and response skills.

Drones, Cyber Security and Heliborne Operations

The exercise does not only concentrate on conventional ground-based combat training. It comprises specialized training that is relevant for modern warfare.

Training area and it’s focus

• Cordon and Search Operations: Security drills in the area
• Room Intervention Drills: Tactical training in close quarters
• Special Heliborne Operations: Ability to operate by air mobility
• Cyber Security: Protection against cyber security attacks
• Drones: Operation with drones
• Counter-Drones Systems: Response to drones attacks

The above-mentioned activities will give soldiers of both nations an opportunity to practice coordinated response in operational settings.

India-Mongolia Defence Cooperation

Nomadic Elephant 2026 is another step forward in the existing relationship in terms of defence cooperation between India and Mongolia. Hosting the exercise alternatively helps personnel to train in a new environment and learn from each other’s military techniques.

The exercise is also a platform that can be used to establish trust and cooperation among Indian Army and Mongolian Armed Forces.