16th Edition of India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise ‘Nomadic Elephant’ Commences in Meghalaya

Umroi, Meghalaya: The 16th edition of the India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT commenced today at the Foreign Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya. Scheduled to run from July 3rd to July 16th, 2024, the exercise aims to bolster joint military capabilities between the two nations.

The Indian contingent, represented by 45 personnel from the Battalion of SIKKIM SCOUTS and other arms and services, joins their Mongolian counterparts from the 150 Quick Reaction Force Battalion of the Mongolian Army. This annual training event alternates between India and Mongolia, with the previous edition held in Mongolia in July 2023.

The opening ceremony of Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT saw the attendance of His Excellency Mr. Dambajavyn Ganbold, Ambassador of Mongolia to India, and Major General Prasanna Joshi, General Officer Commanding 51 Sub Area of the Indian Army.

The primary aim of the exercise is to enhance the joint military capability of both sides to conduct counter-insurgency operations in a sub-conventional scenario under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate. The training will focus on operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrains.

Tactical drills during the exercise include response to terrorist actions, establishment of a joint command post, establishment of an intelligence and surveillance centre, securing of helipads/landing sites, small team insertion and extraction, special heliborne operations, cordon and search operations, and the employment of drones and counter-drone systems.

The closing ceremony on July 16th, 2024, will be attended by 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.

Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT is designed to enable both sides to share best practices in tactics, techniques, and procedures for conducting joint operations. The exercise will also facilitate the development of interoperability, camaraderie, and mutual understanding between the two armies, thereby enhancing defense cooperation and strengthening bilateral relations between India and Mongolia.