Indigenous Rampur Hound Showcases India’s Growing Defence Self-Reliance
Report By Suman Munshi, Chief Editor
Guwahati | May 26, 2026:
While multinational tactical drills and coordinated combat training dominated Exercise PRAGATI 2026, it was the Indian Army’s highly trained K9 warriors who captured special attention with their precision, discipline and operational excellence.
The military exercise witnessed active participation of Indian Army dog squads alongside troops from friendly foreign nations, demonstrating the critical role of trained combat dogs in modern warfare and multinational interoperability operations.
From explosive detection and enemy tracking to assault intervention missions, the Army’s K9 units displayed remarkable operational capabilities in high-risk battlefield environments. The live demonstrations featured Alan, a Belgian Malinois assault dog; Victor, an indigenous Rampur Hound tracker dog; and Deo, a Labrador trained in explosive detection operations.
Each dog demonstrated specialised combat skills, underlining the versatility and mission-readiness of India’s military canine units.
A major highlight of the exercise was the presence of Victor, the indigenous Rampur Hound, symbolising India’s increasing emphasis on native breeds under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Defence experts noted that indigenous breeds possess strong climatic adaptability, disease resistance and resilience, making them highly suitable for diverse operational conditions across India’s terrain.
The K9 warriors showcased their effectiveness across varied combat environments ranging from deserts and forests to mountainous and glacial terrains. Whether tracking hostile movement, detecting explosives or assisting intervention teams, these military dogs proved themselves to be force multipliers on the battlefield through their instinct, loyalty, courage and speed.
Exercise PRAGATI 2026 also introduced robotic dogs, reflecting the future convergence of artificial intelligence, robotics and traditional military assets. The simultaneous deployment of robotic platforms and trained K9 units presented a glimpse into the evolving nature of next-generation warfare where technology and biological capability may operate together in coordinated missions.
Military observers at the exercise described the K9 units as “silent warriors” whose contribution often remains behind the scenes but plays a decisive role in operational success.
At Exercise PRAGATI 2026, the Indian Army’s K9 teams once again demonstrated that courage and loyalty are not limited to human soldiers alone.
With inputs from PRO DEFENCE GUWAHATI
