The 18th edition of the India and Mongolia Joint Military Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT commenced today at the Foreign Training Node, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. It will continue till 3rd of next month. The Ministry of Defence informed that this is an annual platoon-level exercise conducted alternately in India and Mongolia. The last edition of the exercise was conducted at Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in May-June, last year. The Indian Army and the Mongolian Armed Forces are represented by 45 personnel each.
The Defence Ministry said that 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 focuses on tactical-level operations, exchange of best practices, refinement of operational drills and enhancement of interoperability between the two armies. The training curriculum includes Cordon and Search Operations, Room Intervention Drills, Special Heliborne Operations, Cyber Security Training and employment of drones and counter-drone systems, among other activities. It said that these drills provide troops of both Armies an opportunity to train together in realistic operational scenarios and strengthen their ability to operate jointly.
