Description
India and Uzbekistan are strengthening their defence ties through the 7th edition of the joint military exercise “DUSTLIK 2026”. This important bilateral exercise highlights growing strategic cooperation and mutual trust between the two nations.
The Indian Army contingent has been deployed to Uzbekistan for the exercise, which is being held from 12 to 25 April 2026 at the Gurumsaray Field Training Area. Notably, the previous edition of Exercise DUSTLIK was conducted in India at Aundh, Pune in April 2025, showing the rotational nature of this annual exercise.
Exercise DUSTLIK is a bilateral military exercise conducted every year between India and Uzbekistan, hosted alternately by both countries. The primary objective is to enhance defence cooperation and improve the joint operational capabilities of both armed forces, especially in challenging terrains.
The Indian contingent consists of 60 personnel, including 45 soldiers from the Indian Army, mainly from the MAHAR Regiment, and 15 personnel from the Indian Air Force. Similarly, Uzbekistan has deployed around 60 personnel from its Army and Air Force, ensuring balanced participation.
The main aim of the exercise is to strengthen military-to-military relations and improve coordination between the two forces. It focuses on enhancing combined capabilities to conduct joint operations, particularly in semi-mountainous terrain conditions, which are strategically significant.
The training module of Exercise DUSTLIK 2026 emphasizes physical fitness, joint planning, and execution of tactical operations. Soldiers from both countries will engage in specialised training involving modern warfare techniques, operational skills, and coordinated strategies.
Key operational activities include land navigation exercises, strike missions on simulated enemy bases, and the seizure of enemy-held territories. These drills are designed to simulate real combat situations and improve battlefield readiness.
A major highlight of the exercise is the 48-hour validation phase, where troops will test their preparedness for joint special operations. The primary objective of this phase is the neutralisation of unlawful armed groups, reflecting real-world security challenges.
Another crucial aspect of the exercise is improving interoperability between the armed forces. Both sides will work towards establishing a unified operational algorithm, ensuring better coordination between command-and-control structures and enhancing joint decision-making capabilities.
The exercise also promotes mutual learning and the exchange of best practices. Indian forces will gain insights into the operational procedures of the Uzbekistan Armed Forces, while Uzbekistan’s troops will learn from India’s extensive experience in diverse operational environments. Both sides will exchange knowledge on Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs).
Overall, Exercise DUSTLIK 2026 is a significant step in strengthening India’s defence diplomacy, boosting regional security cooperation, and enhancing military preparedness. For UPSC aspirants, this topic is important from both Prelims and Mains perspectives, especially under International Relations and Defence Cooperation.
