The Indian Army and the United States Army have concluded Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026, bringing nearly three weeks of bilateral military training to an end. The closing ceremony was held on 27 September 2026, following joint training activities conducted at Auli and the Mahajan Field Firing Range.
The 2026 edition marked the 22nd iteration of Exercise Yudh Abhyas, an annual exercise sponsored by the U.S. Army Pacific. The exercise brought together Indian Army personnel with soldiers from the U.S. Army's 11th Airborne Division's 1st Mobile Brigade Combat Team and elements of the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force.
What Happened During Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026?
During the training at Auli, Indian and U.S. Army personnel participated in a wide range of operations, including jungle warfare, rappelling, counterterrorism drills, building-clearing operations and long-range sniper marksmanship.
The two armies also carried out combined air assault operations, with Indian and American platoons operating together aboard Indian Army helicopters. Soldiers exchanged knowledge of weapons systems and drone platforms, flying Indian and U.S. drones alongside each other and testing small arms used by both forces.
At the Mahajan Field Firing Range, troops conducted precision-fire training involving HIMARS, Stinger and M-LIDS live-fire events. Alongside operational drills, personnel from both armies also participated in a mixed India-US tug-of-war tournament as part of a morale-building event.
Exercise Focused on Interoperability and Cooperation
According to Col. Ben Jackman, commander of the 1st Mobile Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, the three-week exercise helped strengthen trust and interoperability between the two armies. He highlighted how troops became more familiar with each other's equipment, tactics and operational methods during the training.
The diverse activities conducted across Auli and Mahajan Field Firing Range demonstrated the scope of bilateral military cooperation. From rappelling and joint aircraft operations to live-fire exercises and drone training, Indian and American soldiers worked together across multiple operational scenarios.
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