The 16th edition of the India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise, NOMADIC ELEPHANT, commenced today at the Foreign Training Node, Umroi, in Meghalaya. This event is scheduled to be conducted from 3rd to 16th July 2024, this annual training event alternates between India and Mongolia. The previous edition was held in Mongolia in July 2023.
The Indian contingent, consisting of 45 personnel, is represented by a Battalion of SIKKIM SCOUTS along with members from other arms and services. The Mongolian contingent is represented by personnel from the 150 Quick Reaction Force Battalion of the Mongolian Army. The opening ceremony was graced by 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 exercise aims to enhance the joint military capability of both nations to undertake counter-insurgency operations in a sub-conventional scenario under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate. The focus will be on operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrains. Tactical drills include responding to terrorist actions, establishing a joint command post, setting up an intelligence and surveillance centre, securing a helipad/landing site, conducting small team insertion and extraction, special heliborne operations, cordon and search operations, and the employment of drones and counter-drone systems, among others.
The closing ceremony, scheduled for 16th July 2024, will be attended by Major General Gyanbyamba Sunrev, Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of Mongolia, along with 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. It also aims to develop interoperability, camaraderie, and mutual understanding between the two armies, thereby enhancing defense cooperation and strengthening bilateral relations between India and Mongolia. (PR)