Exercise Khaan Quest

The exercise brought together military forces from around the world to collaborate and enhance their peacekeeping capabilities. First started as a bilateral event between the US and Mongolian armed forces in 2003, from 2006 onwards Khaan Quest graduated to a multinational peacekeeping exercise with current year being its 22nd edition.

The Indian Army contingent comprising 40 personnel is being represented mainly by troops from a battalion of the Kumaon Regiment along with personnel from other arms and services. One woman officer and two women soldiers are also part of the contingent. The aim of the exercise is to prepare Indian armed forces for peacekeeping missions while operating in a multinational environment, thereby increasing interoperability and military readiness in peace support operations under Chapter VII of United Nations Charter. The exercise focusses on high degree of physical fitness, joint planning and joint tactical drills.

Tactical drills to be practiced during the exercise include establishment of static and mobile check points, cordon and search operations, patrolling, evacuation of civilians from hostile area, counter improvised explosive device drills, combat first aid and casualty evacuation, among others.

The conduct of exercises Nomadic Elephant and Khaan Quest marks a milestone in India’s expanding defence diplomacy and underscores the strategic importance of its partnership with Mongolia.