Indian Army contingent leaves for 7th India-Uzbekistan Exercise DUSTLIK
The Indian Army contingent departed on 12 April 2026 for the 7th edition of the India-Uzbekistan joint military Exercise DUSTLIK at Gurumsaray Field Training Area, Uzbekistan, from 12 to 25 April.
Summary
The Indian contingent departed on 12 April 2026 for the 7th edition of the India-Uzbekistan joint military Exercise DUSTLIK, scheduled at Gurumsaray Field Training Area, Uzbekistan, from 12 to 25 April 2026, the Ministry of Defence said. DUSTLIK is a yearly exercise held alternately in India and Uzbekistan; the last edition was held at the Foreign Training Node, Aundh (Pune), in April 2025. India's 60-member contingent has 45 Army personnel, mainly from a battalion of the MAHAR Regiment, and 15 from the Indian Air Force; Uzbekistan's contingent of about 60 is from its Army and Air Force. The exercise focuses on joint operations in semi-mountainous terrain, including land navigation, strike missions on enemy bases and seizure of enemy-held areas, and ends with a 48-hour validation exercise on joint special operations to neutralise unlawful armed groups.
Key facts
- Edition
- 7th; 12–25 April 2026
- Venue
- Gurumsaray Field Training Area, Uzbekistan
- Previous edition
- Foreign Training Node, Aundh (Pune), April 2025
- Frequency
- Yearly, alternately in India and Uzbekistan
- Indian contingent
- 60: 45 Army (mainly MAHAR Regiment battalion) + 15 IAF
- Focus
- Joint operations in semi-mountainous terrain; 48-hour validation exercise
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Exercise DUSTLIK, whose 7th edition began in April 2026, is a joint military exercise between India and:
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Uzbekistan
DUSTLIK is the India-Uzbekistan joint military exercise.
The Indian Army personnel at Exercise DUSTLIK 2026 are mainly from a battalion of which regiment?
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Correct answer: D — MAHAR Regiment
The 45 Army personnel are mainly from a battalion of the MAHAR Regiment; 15 personnel are from the IAF.
Consider the following statements about Exercise DUSTLIK: 1. It is a yearly exercise conducted alternately in India and Uzbekistan. 2. Its previous edition was held at the Foreign Training Node, Aundh (Pune), in April 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct as per the Ministry of Defence.