By ARUN PRATAP SINGHGarhwal Post Bureau
Chamoli, 16 Sep: The 22nd edition of the India-US joint military exercise ‘Yudh Abhyas 2026’ is currently in progress at the strategically important Auli in Chamoli district, with around 600 personnel from each side participating in the exercise. The opening ceremony was held yesterday at the Auli Foreign Training Node and was addressed by Maj Gen Amaresh Gunjan, General Officer Commanding, 14 Infantry Division, and Col Benjamin Jackman, Commander, 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, US Army. The exercise is being conducted simultaneously at Auli and the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan.
The exercise is aimed at enhancing the joint operational capabilities of the Indian and US armies, particularly for the employment of Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs) in mountainous and semi-mountainous terrain, with emphasis on infantry-dominated operations. It will focus on joint planning, execution of coordinated operations, exchange of best operational practices and improving interoperability between the two forces.
Indian Army sources claimed that the high-altitude and challenging terrain of Auli will provide an important training environment for the participating troops, particularly for mountain warfare and operations under difficult geographical and climatic conditions. The exercise will also enable the two armies to share tactics, techniques and procedures while developing common approaches for conducting combined operations in varied terrain. The US contingent includes soldiers from the 11th Airborne Division, known as the ‘Arctic Angels’, whose experience in cold-weather and high-altitude environments is particularly relevant to the Auli phase of the exercise.
Though, Joint Military exercises have been happening regularly now, this year the technology infusion has been made a key feature of this exercise. The participating forces will employ drones and autonomous systems for surveillance and reconnaissance, while subject matter experts (SMSs) from the two armies will also exchange views on emerging military technologies and developments in multi-domain warfare. Demonstrations of contemporary weapon systems are also planned at the Mahajan Field Firing Range.
The exercise also provides an opportunity for the two armies to practise synchronising their capabilities and developing common procedures before moving into increasingly complex operational scenarios. According to the US Army, the training will include expert academic discussions on space, cyber and multi-domain operations, besides combined-arms operations and rapid land-power projection. The 2026 edition is being conducted in a two-theatre format, bringing together the contrasting operational environments of the high-altitude mountains of Uttarakhand and the desert terrain of Rajasthan. The exercise is scheduled to continue until 28 September.
It may be recalled that the Indian Army has recently operationalised the Integrated Battle Group concept, with the formations designed to be agile, self-contained and mission-oriented. The focus of Yudh Abhyas 2026 on IBGs therefore provides an opportunity to test joint planning and execution involving such formations in demanding operational environments.
Yudh Abhyas, which has been conducted since 2004, is an annual bilateral exercise between the Indian and US armies aimed at strengthening interoperability and operational cooperation. The 2026 edition further expands the scope of the exercise by combining high-altitude warfare training, infantry operations, emerging technologies and multi-domain capabilities across two distinct training environments.
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