The 22nd edition of India-US joint military exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026 has begun, bringing approximately 600 personnel from each country together for two weeks of military training.
The exercise is being conducted simultaneously at the Auli Foreign Training Node in Uttarakhand and the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan. The opening ceremony took place at Auli, with senior Indian and US military officers addressing the participating troops.
This year’s exercise places particular emphasis on mountain warfare, integrated battle groups, drones, autonomous systems and contemporary weapon technologies. The Indian Ministry of Defence said the exercise is designed to improve interoperability and the ability of the two armies to conduct coordinated operations across difficult terrain.
The Auli component is particularly significant because of its high-altitude Himalayan environment. Training there will include mountain and cold-weather operations, infantry tactics, counter-drone activities and other specialised exercises.
At the Mahajan range in Rajasthan, the exercise will involve more advanced weapons and live-fire activities. The US Army has said the drills include systems such as HIMARS, Stinger and M-LIDS, alongside training involving unmanned aerial systems.
The US contingent includes troops from the 11th Airborne Division, while Indian forces are participating under the 14 Infantry Division. Both sides are also conducting command-post exercises, expert-level discussions and exchanges on tactics and operational procedures.
One of the most notable elements this year is the increased role of technology. Rather than focusing exclusively on conventional infantry drills, the exercise incorporates drones, autonomous systems, counter-unmanned aircraft capabilities and multi-domain warfare concepts. India’s Defence Ministry has specifically highlighted technology infusion as a key focus of the exercise.
The exercise comes at a time when military forces worldwide are placing greater emphasis on unmanned systems, precision weapons and rapid battlefield decision-making. For India and the United States, Yudh Abhyas provides an opportunity to exchange operational practices and develop greater compatibility between their forces.
The two-week exercise is therefore significant not simply because of its troop numbers, but because of the range of environments and technologies being incorporated—from high-altitude Himalayan operations in Auli to live-fire and advanced weapons training in Rajasthan.