India and the United States are set to further expand their defense cooperation through the 22nd edition of Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026, bringing soldiers from both countries together for advanced military training. The bilateral exercise is designed to improve operational coordination, exchange battlefield expertise and strengthen the capabilities of the two armed forces.
A notable feature of this year’s exercise is the participation of Arctic-trained troops from the US Army’s 11th Airborne Division, headquartered at Fort Wainwright in Alaska. Their deployment to India’s high-altitude environment will provide an opportunity for both sides to train under demanding terrain and climate conditions while developing greater interoperability.
The exercise will also include the US Army’s 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force, adding advanced capabilities involving long-range precision fires and integrated command-and-control systems. These assets will be incorporated into the joint training framework as India and the US work toward improving their ability to operate together in complex combat environments.
Yudh Abhyas 2026 is scheduled to conclude on 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 key portions of the exercise, highlighting the importance both governments place on their growing defense relationship.
Gor said the annual exercise reflects the depth of the US-India military partnership, with personnel from both countries gaining experience by training alongside one another. He emphasized that such engagements help build trust while strengthening the capabilities needed to enhance security.
Vowell similarly pointed to the exercise’s role in improving practical military readiness and reinforcing cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. He said the partnership between the two armies continues to develop through recurring training and shared operational experience.
The exercise will feature both a command post exercise and a field training component before culminating in a combined live-fire demonstration. The final phase is expected to showcase the digital coordination of Indian and US long-range precision-fire and rocket systems.
This year’s edition also marks a significant technological development under the US Army’s Operation Pathways framework. For the first time, advanced counter-unmanned aircraft capabilities will be deployed in India as part of the bilateral exercise.
The Mobile Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System, known as MLIDS, will allow the two militaries to train against emerging drone-related battlefield threats. Its inclusion adds another layer to the exercise’s focus on modern warfare, regional preparedness and the evolving security challenges facing the Indo-Pacific.
