India and US conduct Yudh Abhyas 2026 military exercises

The 22nd edition of Yudh Abhyas, a bilateral military exercise between the Indian and US Armies, is currently taking place at the Auli Foreign Training Node in Uttarakhand and the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan. Each military is contributing 600 personnel to train in mountain warfare, infantry operations, drones, and advanced weapons.

The US Army is represented by the 11th Airborne Division, known as the ‘Arctic Angels,’ an elite unit specializing in extreme cold-weather and high-latitude operations. The Indian Army is participating with the 14 Infantry Division, led by the Garhwal Rifles.

A key highlight of the exercise includes the successful precision strike by the SkyStriker loitering munition at the Mahajan Field Firing Range. The exercise emphasizes technology infusion, including the use of autonomous systems and drones for surveillance. Other demonstrated systems include the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher, M777 ultra-light howitzer, Dhanush artillery, and AH-64E Apache attack helicopters.