---
title: "US and Indian Armies Begin Yudh Abhyas 2026 in Rajasthan and Uttarakhand"
english_title: "Yudh Abhyas 2026 Begins as US and Indian Armies Train in Rajasthan and Uttarakhand"
publisher: "Truevision English News"
canonical_url: "https://english.truevisionnews.com/news/382066/yudh-abhyas-2026-us-india-army-exercise"
published_at: "2026-09-11T05:59:00+05:30"
category: "Big Story"
language: "en"
image: "https://cf.zdn.im/img/truevisionnews.com/0/image-uploads/6aa34bd377051_yudh-abhyas-2026-us-india-army-exercise.jpg"
keywords: ["Yudh Abhyas 2026", "US Army", "Indian Army", "India US defence", "military exercise", "counter-drone systems"]
---

# US and Indian Armies Begin Yudh Abhyas 2026 in Rajasthan and Uttarakhand

> **Lead Summary:** NEW DELHI: The United States Army and the Indian Army have commenced Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026, marking the 22nd edition of the premier annual bilateral training exercise between the two countries. The exercise began on Wednesday and will continue until September 28 at two locations—Bikaner in Rajasthan and Auli in Uttarakhand.

## Article Content

NEW DELHI: The United States Army and the Indian Army have commenced Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026, marking the 22nd edition of the premier annual bilateral training exercise between the two countries. The exercise began on Wednesday and will continue until September 28 at two locations—Bikaner in Rajasthan and Auli in Uttarakhand.

This year’s exercise features the deployment of Arctic-trained soldiers from the US Army’s 11th Airborne Division, based at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, to the high-altitude regions of India. The exercise also includes the participation of the 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force, bringing advanced long-range precision fires and integrated command-and-control systems into the bilateral training framework.

Conducted under the strategic framework of Operation Pathways, this year’s exercise also marks a first-of-its-kind deployment of advanced counter-drone systems to India. The integration of the Mobile Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System (MLIDS) is aimed at enabling both countries to adapt together to emerging battlefield threats and strengthen regional readiness.

> US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor and Lieutenant General Joel “JB” Vowell, the Deputy Commanding General for US Army Pacific, are scheduled to attend key training events. Their participation underscores the strength of the defence partnership between the United States and India.

> “Yudh Abhyas shows just how strong the US-India defence partnership has become,” said Sergio Gor. “Our soldiers are training together, learning from each other, and building the trust and capabilities that make both of our countries stronger and more secure,” he said.

While the ambassador highlighted the strategic ties between the two countries, Vowell emphasised the operational reach and practical readiness that the annual bilateral exercise provides to the joint force.

> “Yudh Abhyas is about building trust, sharing expertise, and demonstrating our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Vowell said. “Every year, our partnership with the Indian Army grows stronger, and together we are ready to meet any challenge,” he said.

This year’s exercise includes a command post exercise and a field training exercise, which will culminate in a combined live-fire demonstration. The event will showcase the digital integration of several US and Indian long-range and precision fires and rocket systems.

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