India and Mongolia Start Joint Military Exercise Nomadic Elephant in Meghalaya

The 16th edition of the India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise Nomadic Elephant commenced today at the Foreign Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya. The exercise will be conducted from July 3 to July 16, 2024.

The Indian contingent, comprising 45 personnel, is represented by a Battalion of Sikkim Scouts along with personnel from other arms and services. The Mongolian contingent includes personnel from the 150 Quick Reaction Force Battalion of the Mongolian Army.

Exercise Nomadic Elephant is an annual training event held alternately in India and Mongolia. The last edition took place in Mongolia in July 2023.

The opening ceremony was attended by His Excellency Dambajavyn Ganbold, Ambassador of Mongolia to India, and Major General Prasanna Joshi, General Officer Commanding 51 Sub Area of the Indian Army.

The aim of the exercise is to enhance joint military capabilities for counter-insurgency operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrains under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate. Tactical drills include response to terrorist actions, establishment of a joint command post, intelligence and surveillance center, securing helipads, small team insertion and extraction, special heliborne operations, cordon and search operations, and the use of drones and counter-drone systems.

Major General Gyanbyamba Sunrev, Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of Mongolia, and Lieutenant General Zubin A Minwalla, General Officer Commanding 33 Corps of the Indian Army, will attend the closing ceremony on July 16, 2024.

The exercise aims to share best practices in tactics, techniques, and procedures for joint operations, enhancing interoperability, camaraderie, and defense cooperation between the two nations.