Indian and American soldiers are training across two very different Indian landscapes as Yudh Abhyas 2026 enters its 22nd edition. The formal opening ceremony was held at Auli in Uttarakhand on 15 September, while military activity is also underway at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan.
Around 600 personnel from each army are participating. According to the Ministry of Defence release through PIB, the two armies are concentrating on infantry-led operations, Integrated Battle Groups, joint planning and coordinated operations across mountainous and semi-mountainous terrain.
The US Army had earlier listed the broader exercise window as 9 to 28 September. Training activity at Mahajan, including medical drills, was already taking place before the Auli opening ceremony.
Why Is Yudh Abhyas 2026 Happening In Two Locations?
Auli and Mahajan give soldiers sharply different conditions. Auli provides high-altitude mountain terrain suited to cold-weather and mountain warfare training. Mahajan offers a large firing range where troops can work with artillery, precision-strike systems and other battlefield equipment.
The Indian Ministry of Defence says drones and autonomous systems will support surveillance and reconnaissance during the exercise. Military specialists from both sides will also exchange ideas on emerging technologies and multi-domain warfare.
The American contingent includes soldiers from the US Army’s 11th Airborne Division, known as the “Arctic Angels”. These troops normally train in Alaska, making India’s mountain and desert environments two very different settings within the same exercise.
What Are Indian And American Troops Practising?
The programme moves beyond classroom planning. Commanders will work through joint decisions, while troops rehearse movement, surveillance, targeting, casualty response and weapons employment in the field.
Key activities include:
- mountain and cold-weather operations at Auli, alongside high-altitude field training;
- drone and counter-drone drills involving unmanned aircraft and M-LIDS;
- live-fire activity at Mahajan involving HIMARS, Stinger and precision-fire capabilities;
- casualty treatment and medical evacuation exercises conducted by Indian and American military medics.
The US Army’s official Yudh Abhyas coverage says the exercise includes a brigade-level command-post exercise, field training, expert discussions, counter-unmanned aircraft training and live firing.
Medical teams have also rehearsed situations away from conventional firing drills. At Mahajan, medics treated a simulated blast casualty and a simulated heat casualty before practising evacuation through an Indian Army ambulance system.
Why Are Drones, HIMARS And M-LIDS Drawing Attention?
Technology is one of the biggest themes in the 2026 edition. A US Army pre-exercise announcement confirmed participation by the 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force, bringing long-range precision-fire and integrated command-and-control capabilities into the bilateral training framework.
M-LIDS, or the Mobile Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System, adds a counter-drone element. The US announcement described its deployment to India as a first-of-its-kind move for the exercise. HIMARS and Stinger systems are meanwhile scheduled for live-fire activity at Mahajan.
The Indian Army shared the opening from its official account on 15 September. Readers can view the official ADG PI Indian Army X post on Yudh Abhyas 2026 showing personnel from both armies at the exercise.
How Does The 2026 Edition Compare With Last Year?
The previous edition took place at Fort Wainwright in Alaska in September 2025. Indian troops from a Madras Regiment battalion trained with soldiers from the US 11th Airborne Division on mountain warfare, heliborne activity, drones, casualty evacuation, artillery, aviation and electronic warfare.
This year’s edition keeps several of those themes but spreads training across two Indian locations. Counter-drone systems, long-range precision fires and the 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force have also given the 2026 exercise a stronger technology focus.
FAQs
When Did Yudh Abhyas 2026 Officially Open?
It officially opened at Auli on 15 September 2026, with parallel training continuing at Mahajan.
How Many Troops Are Taking Part?
Around 600 Indian and 600 US soldiers are participating across Auli and Mahajan training areas.
What Is Being Practised At Auli?
Troops are practising mountain warfare, cold-weather operations, counter-drone drills, field exercises and command planning there.
What Is Being Practised At Mahajan?
Mahajan hosts live-fire training, precision weapons, equipment familiarisation, medical drills and operational rehearsals for troops.
Why Is M-LIDS Important In This Exercise?
M-LIDS adds mobile counter-drone capability, helping both armies train against unmanned aircraft threats more effectively.
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