Context
Exercise Mountain Guardian 2026 commenced at the Foreign Training Node, Chaubatia, Uttarakhand, marking the beginning of specialised military training between the participating forces.
About Exercise Mountain Guardian 2026
- It is a joint military exercise between India and the UAE.
- The exercise focuses on mountain warfare and seeks to enhance interoperability, mutual understanding and cooperation.
- The Indian contingent includes troops from a Bhairav Battalion.
- Women officers and combatants from both armies are participating in specialist roles.
- Key activities include:
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- Joint planning and tactical drills
- Firing practices
- Establishment of surveillance grids
- Drone operations
- Physical endurance training
- Rock climbing and obstacle training
- Integrated field exercises
- The training also incorporates technology-enabled operations and exchange of tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) suited to challenging mountainous terrain.
FAQs
Q1. Which countries are participating in Exercise Mountain Guardian 2026?
Answer: India and the UAE.
Q2. Where is Exercise Mountain Guardian 2026 being conducted?
Answer: At the Foreign Training Node, Chaubatia, Uttarakhand.
Q3. What is the principal warfare domain covered by the exercise?
Answer: Mountain warfare.
Q4. Which Indian formation is part of the participating contingent?
Answer: Troops from a Bhairav Battalion.
Q5. What specialised participation is highlighted in the exercise?
Answer: Women officers and combatants from both armies are participating in specialist roles.
Q6. Which activities form part of the training programme?
Answer: Joint planning, tactical drills, firing practices, surveillance-grid establishment, drone operations, physical endurance training, rock climbing, obstacle training and integrated field exercises.
Q7. What technological and operational elements are incorporated into the exercise?
Answer: The exercise incorporates technology-enabled operations and the exchange of tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) relevant to challenging mountainous terrain.
