Exercise DUSTLIK 2026

An Indian Armed Forces contingent has departed for the 7th edition of the India-Uzbekistan joint military exercise Exercise DUSTLIK, scheduled to be held from April 12 to 25, 2026, in Uzbekistan.

Annual Bilateral Military Drill
Exercise DUSTLIK is an annual event conducted alternately between India and Uzbekistan. The previous edition took place in April 2025 at Foreign Training Node Aundh.

Composition of Contingents
The Indian contingent comprises 60 personnel, including:

• 45 soldiers from the Indian Army, primarily from a battalion of the MAHAR Regiment
• 15 personnel from the Indian Air Force

The Uzbekistan side is also represented by around 60 personnel from its Army and Air Force.

Focus and Objectives
The primary aim of the exercise is to enhance military cooperation and interoperability between the two nations. The joint training will focus on:

• Operations in semi-mountainous terrain
• Joint planning and tactical drills
• High physical fitness standards
• Special arms and combat skills

Strengthening Joint Capabilities
A key highlight of the exercise is the development of a unified operational framework between the command-and-control structures of both forces, enabling better coordination in planning and executing joint operations.

Source: PIB