Arya News - The demonstration brought together a range of artillery, rocket, aviation, air-defence and surveillance systems, showcasing the two armies’ ability to coordinate complex battlefield activities during combined training.
NEW DELHI – US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor and Lt Gen Vikrant Suresh Deshpande, General Officer Commanding, 10 Corps, witnessed a joint firepower demonstration by Indian and US Army personnel at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan as part of the ongoing Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026.
The demonstration brought together a range of artillery, rocket, aviation, air-defence and surveillance systems, showcasing the two armies’ ability to coordinate complex battlefield activities during combined training.
The Indian Army fielded the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher, M777 ultra-light howitzer and Dhanush artillery system, besides AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, L70 air-defence guns and Swathi weapon-locating radars. The US Army participated with the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and Mobile Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System (M-LIDS).
The demonstration highlighted the integration of different combat arms and capabilities in a demanding field environment, with personnel from the two armies working together on procedures and coordination.
The joint training is aimed at enhancing interoperability, professional exchanges and mutual confidence, besides enabling both sides to gain a better understanding of each other’s tactics, techniques, procedures and equipment.
Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026, the 22nd edition of the bilateral India-US Army exercise, is being conducted simultaneously at Auli in Uttarakhand and the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan. The exercise involves around 600 personnel from each army and focuses on strengthening joint military capabilities, particularly for the employment of Integrated Battle Groups in mountainous and semi-mountainous terrain.
Technology infusion is a key component of this year’s exercise, with drones and autonomous systems being used for surveillance and reconnaissance, while the two sides are also exchanging views on emerging technologies and multi-domain warfare.
Yudh Abhyas is an annual bilateral Army exercise between India and the United States that began in 2004. Over the years, it has evolved from a focus on peacekeeping and counter-insurgency training to encompass more complex areas, including high-altitude warfare, hybrid threats, counter-drone operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and multi-domain operations.
The US contingent includes personnel from the 11th Airborne Division, known as the “Arctic Angels”, while US forces are also bringing capabilities such as HIMARS and M-LIDS to the exercise.
The Mahajan visit comes amid a series of engagements by US Ambassador Sergio Gor across different parts of India. In August, he visited Jammu and Kashmir, where he met J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and described the Union Territory as an “important part of India”.
Gor has also recently visited Manipur, where he met Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh and visited Imphal’s women’s market.