**Executive Summary**
The 7th edition of the India-Uzbekistan joint military Exercise DUSTLIK is scheduled to take place at the Gurumsaray Field Training Area in Namangan, Uzbekistan, from 12 to 25 April 2026. This yearly event aims to enhance bilateral military cooperation, focus on joint operations in semi-mountainous terrain, and strengthen interoperability between the two nations' armed forces. The exercise will culminate in a 48-hour validation phase specifically designed to test the neutralisation of unlawful armed groups.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Participation and Composition**
* The Indian contingent consists of 60 personnel, including 45 from the Indian Army (primarily from a Battalion of the MAHAR Regiment) and 15 from the Indian Air Force.
* The Uzbekistan contingent comprises approximately 60 personnel from their Army and Air Force.
* This edition follows the previous exercise held in Aundh (Pune), India, in April 2025.
**Operational Objectives**
* Foster military cooperation and improve combined capabilities for executing operations in semi-mountainous terrain.
* Establish a unified operational algorithm and command-and-control structure for joint planning and execution.
* Focus on high physical fitness, joint tactical drills, and the basics of special arms skills.
**Training Activities and Tactics**
* Practicing key operational aspects such as land navigation, strike missions on enemy bases, and the seizure of enemy-held areas.
* Sharing best practices in Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) and familiarising contingents with each other's operational drills.
* Conducting a final 48-hour validation exercise focused on the preparation and execution of joint special operations.
**Strategic Outcomes**
* Enhancing operational synergy and joint coordination between the participating contingents.
* Developing camaraderie and bonhomie between the soldiers of both nations.
* Strengthening overall defence cooperation and bilateral relations between India and Uzbekistan.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Armed Forces (Army and Air Force)**
**Impact**
Personnel gain exposure to semi-mountainous terrain and familiarise themselves with the operational procedures of the Uzbekistan Armed Forces.
**Action Required**
Participate in joint planning and tactical drills, share operational experiences, and execute the 48-hour validation exercise.
**Uzbekistan Armed Forces**
**Impact**
The contingent benefits from shared Indian tactical experiences and the establishment of unified command-and-control structures.
**Action Required**
Collaborate on strike missions, land navigation exercises, and the joint neutralisation of unlawful armed groups.
**Bilateral Relations (India and Uzbekistan)**
**Impact**
The exercise fosters higher levels of defence cooperation and strengthens the diplomatic and military bond between the two friendly nations.
**Action Required**
Ensure the continued annual rotation of the exercise to maintain long-term operational synergy.
Key Entities Referenced
Exercise DUSTLIK: The 7th edition of the annual India-Uzbekistan joint military exercise focused on enhancing combined capabilities for joint operations in semi-mountainous terrain.
Gurumsaray Field Training Area, Namangan (Uzbekistan): The central location designated for the conduct of the 2026 edition of the India-Uzbekistan joint military exercise.
MAHAR Regiment: The specific Indian Army battalion providing the primary personnel for the Indian Armed Forces contingent participating in the joint drills.
Uzbekistan Armed Forces: The partner military organization participating in the exercise to share best practices in tactics and strengthen bilateral defence cooperation.
Ministry of Defence
INDIAN ARMY CONTINGENT DEPARTS FOR
INDIA- UZBEKISTAN JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE
DUSTLIK
Posted On: 12 APR 2026 5:07PM by PIB Delhi
The Indian Army contingent departed today for the 7th edition of India-Uzbekistan joint military Exercise
DUSTLIK. The Exercise is scheduled to be conducted at Gurumsaray Field Training Area, Namangam,
Uzbekistan from 12 to 25 April 2026. Exercise DUSTLIK is a yearly event conducted alternatively in
India and Uzbekistan. Last edition was conducted at Foreign Training Node, Aundh (Pune) in April 2025.
The Indian Armed Forces contingent comprising 60 personnel is being represented by 45 personnel from
the Indian Army, majorly from a Battalion of the MAHAR Regiment and 15 personnel from the Indian Air
Force. The Uzbekistan contingent also comprises of approximately 60 personnel, from Uzbekistan Army
and Air Force.
Aim of Exercise DUSTLIK is to foster military cooperation and enhance combined capabilities to execute
joint operations in semi-mountainous terrain. It would focus on high degree of physical fitness, joint
planning, joint tactical drills and basics of special arms skills. The Exercise will also establish a unified
operational algorithm between the command-and-control structures of both the contingents for planning
and execution of joint operations.
Key operational aspects to be practiced include land navigation, strike missions on enemy bases and
seizure of enemy-held areas. The Indian contingent will take the opportunity to familiarise themselves
with the operational procedures and drills of the Uzbekistan Armed Forces and share own operational
experiences with the Uzbekistan contingent. The joint training will culminate in a 48-hour validation
exercise aimed at validating the tactical drills for joint operations, emphasising on Preparation &
Execution of Joint Special Operations, aimed at Neutralisation of Unlawful Armed Groups.
Exercise DUSTLIK will enable the two sides to share their best practices in Tactics, Techniques and
Procedures of conducting joint operations and will further strengthen interoperability, operational synergy
and joint command and control coordination between the contingents. The Exercise will facilitate
developing bonhomie and camaraderie between soldiers of both the countries. This will also enhance the
level of defence cooperation, further fostering bilateral relations between the two friendly nations.________________________________________________________________
NA/PK
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