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U.S., Indian armies open exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026
AULI, India — U.S. and Indian Army forces officially opened Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026 during a ceremony at Auli on Sept. 15, officially beginning two weeks of bilateral training focused on readiness, interoperability and cooperation.
The exercise brings together approximately 600 U.S. Army personnel, including soldiers from the 11th Airborne Division "Arctic Angels," and approximately 600 Indian Army personnel. Training will include a brigade-level command post exercise, field training exercise, expert academic discussions, mountain warfare and cold-weather operations, counter-unmanned aircraft system training at Auli, and live-fire exercises with the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS ; Stinger; and the Mobile Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System, or M-LIDS, at the Mahajan Field Firing Range.
"Yudh Abhyas 2026 provides our soldiers an opportunity to enhance bilateral readiness, cooperation and interoperability between U.S. and Indian Army forces," said Col. Ben Jackman, commander of 1st Mobile Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division. "By training alongside the Indian Army, we are strengthening our mutual trust and building combat credibility."
During the ceremony, leaders emphasized the importance of theater security cooperation and realistic combat readiness. Participating formations will apply those objectives throughout training at Auli and the Mahajan Field Firing Range.
Yudh Abhyas is an annual bilateral exercise designed to improve the U.S. and Indian armies' ability to operate together across a range of military operations. This year's exercise will focus on high-altitude operations and multidomain operations, unmanned aerial system and counter-unmanned aerial system operations, and the integration of modern capabilities such as HIMARS and M-LIDS.
"Exercise Yudh Abhyas gives us a platform to exchange tactics, techniques and procedures across the full spectrum of multidomain operations, from precision fires at Mahajan to mountain warfare here in Auli," said Maj. Gen. Amaresh Gunjan, General Officer Commanding, 14th Infantry Division. "It strengthens the bond between our armies and prepares us to prevail together in any environment."
The exercise will progress from expert academic discussions, subject-matter expert exchanges and a brigade-level command post exercise to situational training exercise lanes, counter-unmanned aircraft system training and live-fire exercises. This progression allows the participating forces to establish common procedures before applying them during increasingly complex scenarios.
According to Jackman, the forces will evaluate their ability to synchronize combined-arms operations and rapid land-power projection throughout the exercise.
"Success in this exercise means our headquarters and small units can seamlessly integrate our capabilities to prevail in any environment," Jackman said. "When we conclude this training, our Soldiers will stand side by side as a more lethal, coordinated and ready force."
Following the ceremony, U.S. and Indian Army personnel began expert academic discussions on space, cyber and multidomain operations. Yudh Abhyas 2026 is scheduled to conclude Sept. 28 with a formal closing ceremony.
Since 2004, Yudh Abhyas, a U.S. Army Pacific-sponsored bilateral exercise with the Indian Army, has enhanced combined interoperability and strengthened the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership. This year’s exercise continues that commitment while supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific.
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| Date Taken: | 09.14.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 09.15.2026 04:40 |
| Story ID: | 574596 |
| Location: | IN |
| Web Views: | 29 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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