India-Mongolia Exercise Nomadic Elephant Begins in Pithoragarh

The 18th edition of the India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise Nomadic Elephant 2026 began on 21 September 2026 at the Foreign Training Node in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. The annual platoon-level exercise will continue until 3 October 2026, with 45 personnel from the Indian Army and 45 personnel from the Mongolian Armed Forces taking part.

Exercise Profile

Nomadic Elephant is a bilateral military exercise between India and Mongolia. It is conducted at platoon level and is held every year. The 2026 edition is being organised in India after the 17th edition was held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in May-June 2025.

Training Focus

The exercise is designed for Counter-Insurgency Operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain under a United Nations mandate. The training package includes Cordon and Search Operations, Room Intervention Drills, Special Heliborne Operations, Cyber Security Training, drone employment, and counter-drone systems.

Military Cooperation Between India and Mongolia

India and Mongolia conduct defence exchanges through joint exercises, training interactions, and military cooperation. Such exercises are used for the exchange of operational practices and for improving interoperability between the two armed forces.

Important Facts for Exams

• Nomadic Elephant 2026 is the 18th edition of the India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise.
• The exercise is being held at the Foreign Training Node in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand.
• It is a platoon-level annual exercise involving 45 personnel from each side.
• The previous edition was held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in May-June 2025.

Key Operational Terms

Cordon and Search Operations involve surrounding an area and searching it systematically. Special Heliborne Operations use helicopters for rapid insertion or movement of troops. Counter-drone systems are used to detect and neutralise unmanned aerial threats.