India-US Yudh Abhyas 2026 to Strengthen Military Ties and Exchange Expertise

The Indian Army and the United States Army are set to begin the 22nd edition of Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026, with the annual bilateral drill aimed at strengthening military cooperation, improving operational coordination and enhancing mutual trust between the two countries. This year's exercise brings a notable Arctic dimension, with Arctic-trained troops from the US Army's 11th Airborne Division, stationed at Fort Wainwright in Alaska, taking part in training at India's high-altitude terrain. The exercise will also include personnel from the 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force (3MDTF), bringing advanced long-range precision strike capabilities and modern command-and-control technologies into the joint training programme.

The exercise is scheduled to continue until September 28. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor and Lieutenant General Joel "JB" Vowell, Deputy Commanding General of US Army Pacific, are expected to attend important training activities during the exercise. Their participation highlights the growing depth of defence cooperation between India and the United States.

Gor said Yudh Abhyas reflects the increasingly strong defence relationship between the two nations, with troops from both sides gaining experience by training alongside one another and developing greater operational trust. Vowell similarly highlighted the practical value of the exercise, saying the annual engagement helps the two militaries exchange knowledge, improve preparedness and demonstrate their shared commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The 2026 edition will feature both a command post exercise and a field training exercise, followed by a joint live-fire demonstration. The demonstration is expected to highlight the digital coordination of multiple Indian and US long-range, precision-fire and rocket systems. The exercise is being conducted under the broader strategic framework of Operation Pathways and also marks a significant development in counter-drone cooperation. For the first time, an advanced Mobile Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System (MLIDS) is being deployed in India as part of the exercise.

The inclusion of MLIDS will give troops from both countries an opportunity to train against emerging unmanned aerial threats and develop coordinated responses to rapidly evolving battlefield technologies. Yudh Abhyas 2026 is expected to provide both militaries with valuable experience in high-altitude operations, precision fires, counter-drone warfare and integrated command systems, while further strengthening the wider India-US strategic defence partnership.

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