The Indian Army’s specially trained military dogs emerged as one of the key highlights of multinational Exercise PRAGATI 2026, demonstrating advanced combat support capabilities alongside troops from friendly foreign countries during tactical and operational drills.

The exercise featured Indian Army K9 teams conducting a range of high-risk operational tasks including improvised explosive device (IED) detection, tracking operations and intervention missions, underlining the continuing importance of military working dogs in modern warfare environments.

Officials said the participation of Army dogs in multinational drills also helped strengthen interoperability and coordination between Indian forces and partner nations taking part in the exercise.

Among the standout K9 warriors featured during the exercise were Alan, a Belgian Malinois assault dog; Victor, a Rampur Hound tracker dog; and Deo, a Labrador explosive detection dog. Each dog demonstrated specialised battlefield skills tailored for different operational scenarios.

Military officials said the demonstrations reflected the discipline, versatility and mission readiness of Indian Army K9 units, which continue to play critical roles in counter-insurgency operations, search missions, border patrol and explosive detection tasks across varied terrains in India.

A major highlight of the exercise was the participation of Victor, the Rampur Hound representing India’s indigenous dog breed capabilities. The Rampur Hound is known for its high endurance, climatic adaptability, resilience and disease resistance, making it increasingly suitable for operational deployment in Indian conditions.

The Army’s growing focus on indigenous breeds aligns with the Government of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative aimed at promoting self-reliance and reducing dependence on foreign imports in defence and strategic sectors.

Officials noted that Indian Army K9 units are trained to operate effectively across challenging environments ranging from deserts and forests to glaciers and high-altitude regions. Their operational role includes detecting explosives, tracking hostile movement, locating hidden threats and assisting assault teams during sensitive missions.

Exercise PRAGATI 2026 also showcased the integration of emerging technology into military operations, with robotic dogs participating alongside trained Army dogs during demonstrations. Defence experts said the joint display highlighted how traditional battlefield assets and advanced robotic systems could complement each other in future combat scenarios.

The presence of robotic platforms alongside K9 teams illustrated evolving military doctrines focused on combining human capability, animal instinct and technological innovation to improve operational effectiveness.

Military working dogs continue to remain a crucial component of armed forces worldwide due to their speed, agility, instinctive response and ability to operate in conditions where machines or human personnel may face limitations.

The Indian Army has in recent years expanded training programmes for K9 units and increasingly integrated specialised dogs into anti-terror, surveillance and combat support operations across multiple theatres.

Exercise PRAGATI 2026 is part of broader multinational military cooperation efforts focused on joint training, tactical preparedness and operational coordination among participating countries.

explosive detection | Business Upturn

From robotic dogs to Rampur Hounds: Indian Army showcases future battlefield strategy at PRAGATI 2026