India-UAE joint military exercise Mountain Guardian begins in Uttarakhand

Troops from India and the United Arab Emirates have started a two-week joint military exercise in Uttarakhand, focusing on high-altitude combat and mountain warfare.

The drill, named Exercise Mountain Guardian, began on Monday at the Foreign Training Node in Chaubatia and is scheduled to run until 18 October. It brings together 92 soldiers, divided equally between the two armed forces, to work on tactical interoperability and shared procedures in rugged terrain, India's defence ministry said.

India has deployed personnel from a Bhairav Battalion, while the UAE contingent is drawn from a Mountain Infantry Battalion. Women officers and combatants from both nations are also taking part, assigned across various specialist operational roles.

What troops will practise in Chaubatia

Chaubatia, located in Uttarakhand's Almora district, has long served as an established high-altitude training ground for foreign military exchanges. Over the next fortnight, soldiers will conduct joint planning sessions alongside live-firing practice and field drills designed to test endurance across uneven ground.

The training programme covers rock climbing, navigating tactical obstacle courses, and integrated field exercises. Troops will also work on modern combat requirements, incorporating unmanned aerial surveillance and drone operations into their mountain tactics.

The defence ministry said the drills aim to integrate technology-enabled operations while allowing both contingents to exchange tactics, techniques, and procedures suited to demanding mountain environments.

Deepening India-UAE defence ties

The exercise comes as bilateral defence engagement between New Delhi and Abu Dhabi continues to expand into regular, structured service-to-service exchanges.

While the two militaries have previously conducted naval and air drills, as well as desert warfare exercises such as Desert Cyclone, Mountain Guardian shifts the operational focus to elevated and broken terrain. Such conditions demand specialised acclimatisation, precise physical stamina, and distinct logistical planning.

Beyond field tactics, the defence ministry described the exercise as an opportunity for both armies to share professional operational experience, refine tactical proficiency, and reinforce broader bilateral ties between the two countries.