The 7th edition of India-Uzbekistan joint military Exercise DUSTLIK 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.
About Exercise DUSTLIK
Objectives:
- To foster military cooperation and enhance combined capabilities to execute joint operations in semi-mountainous terrain.
- To focus on high degree of physical fitness, joint planning, joint tactical drills and basics of special arms skills.
- To establish a unified operational algorithm between the command-and-control structures of both the contingents for planning and execution of joint operations.
Participating Contingents:
- India: 60 personnel – 45 from the Indian Army, majorly from a Battalion of the MAHAR Regiment and 15l from the Indian Air Force.
- Uzbekistan: 60 personnel, from Uzbekistan Army and Air Force
Key focus Areas:
- Key operational aspects to be practiced include land navigation, strike missions on enemy bases and seizure of enemy-held areas.
- 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.
- 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.
Significance of Exercise DUSTLIK
- Enable the two sides to share their best practices in Tactics, Techniques and Procedures of conducting joint operations
- Further strengthen interoperability, operational synergy and joint command and control coordination between the contingents.
- Facilitate developing bonhomie and camaraderie between soldiers of both the countries.
- Enhance the level of defence cooperation, further fostering bilateral relations between the two friendly nations.