The 18th edition of the India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise Nomadic Elephant, an annual platoon-level exercise conducted alternately in India and Mongolia, commenced at the Foreign Training Node, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. The exercise is scheduled from 21 September to 3 October 2026. The last edition of the exercise was conducted at Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in May–June 2025. The Indian Army and the Mongolian Armed Forces are represented by 45 personnel each.

The exercise aims to enhance the joint military capability of both sides to undertake counter-insurgency operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain under the United Nations Mandate.

The joint training will focus on tactical-level operations, exchange of best practices, refinement of operational drills and enhancement of interoperability between the two armies. The training curriculum will include Cordon and Search Operations, Room Intervention Drills, Special Heliborne Operations, Cyber Security Training and employment of drones and counter-drone systems, among other activities. These drills will provide troops of both armies an opportunity to train together in realistic operational scenarios and strengthen their ability to operate jointly.

Exercise Nomadic Elephant 2026 will further enhance defence cooperation between India and Mongolia and reinforce the longstanding bonds of friendship and mutual trust between the two friendly nations.