India and the United Arab Emirates on Monday began the third edition of their joint mountain warfare exercise 'Mountain Guardian 2026' at the Foreign Training Node in Chaubatia, Uttarakhand, the latest marker of the two countries' deepening defence partnership.
The opening ceremony for the two-week exercise was held on October 5, with the training programme scheduled to run until October 18. It is focused on mountain warfare, joint planning and tactical interoperability between the Indian Army and the UAE Land Forces.
92 troops, women combatants in specialist roles
A total of 92 personnel are taking part, with 46 troops from each side. The Indian contingent has been drawn from a Bhairav Battalion, while the UAE contingent comes from a Mountain Infantry Battalion. Women officers and combatants from both armies are participating across specialist roles, reflecting the growing presence of women personnel in operational training.
The exercise will feature joint tactical drills, firing practices, surveillance-grid operations, drone employment, physical endurance exercises, rock climbing, obstacle training and integrated field manoeuvres. It will place particular emphasis on technology-enabled operations and on exchanging tactics, techniques and procedures for operating in difficult mountainous terrain.
Growing defence ties
The exercise comes weeks after the 10th India-UAE Navy Staff Talks in Abu Dhabi on September 16-17, where both sides discussed enhancing operational engagements, training exchanges and maritime security cooperation. Defence officials said Mountain Guardian 2026 will further strengthen military-to-military cooperation and reinforce the bonds of friendship and trust between the two nations.
Sources:
- India, UAE reinforce growing defence partnership with 'Exercise Mountain Guardian' — IANS
- India, UAE Begin Mountain Warfare Drill — Deccan Chronicle
- India-UAE joint military exercise 'Mountain Guardian 2026' begins in Uttarakhand — The Statesman
The opening ceremony for the two-week exercise was held on October 5, with the training programme scheduled to run until October 18. It is focused on mountain warfare, joint planning and tactical interoperability between the Indian Army and the UAE Land Forces.
92 troops, women combatants in specialist roles
A total of 92 personnel are taking part, with 46 troops from each side. The Indian contingent has been drawn from a Bhairav Battalion, while the UAE contingent comes from a Mountain Infantry Battalion. Women officers and combatants from both armies are participating across specialist roles, reflecting the growing presence of women personnel in operational training.
The exercise will feature joint tactical drills, firing practices, surveillance-grid operations, drone employment, physical endurance exercises, rock climbing, obstacle training and integrated field manoeuvres. It will place particular emphasis on technology-enabled operations and on exchanging tactics, techniques and procedures for operating in difficult mountainous terrain.
Growing defence ties
The exercise comes weeks after the 10th India-UAE Navy Staff Talks in Abu Dhabi on September 16-17, where both sides discussed enhancing operational engagements, training exchanges and maritime security cooperation. Defence officials said Mountain Guardian 2026 will further strengthen military-to-military cooperation and reinforce the bonds of friendship and trust between the two nations.
Sources:
- India, UAE reinforce growing defence partnership with 'Exercise Mountain Guardian' — IANS
- India, UAE Begin Mountain Warfare Drill — Deccan Chronicle
- India-UAE joint military exercise 'Mountain Guardian 2026' begins in Uttarakhand — The Statesman
