Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026: US Ambassador Sergio Gor hails India-US defence partnership
Synopsis
US Ambassador Sergio Gor flew to Rajasthan to personally witness the 22nd edition of Yudh Abhyas — and the optics were deliberate. With 600 troops on each side training across deserts and mountains, drones in the mix, and a multi-domain warfare agenda, this is no routine drill. It is a visible signal of how far the India-US military relationship has travelled.
Key Takeaways
US Ambassador Sergio Gor visited the Mahajan Field Firing Range, Rajasthan on 24 September 2026 to observe Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026 .
The 22nd edition of the exercise runs simultaneously at Auli, Uttarakhand and Mahajan, Rajasthan , involving 600 personnel from each side.
Training covers small-arms firing, artillery, long-range weapons, attack helicopter operations, and drone-based surveillance across desert and mountain terrain.
The Ministry of Defence identified drone and autonomous systems integration and multi-domain warfare as key focus areas for this edition.
The exercise is scheduled to conclude on 28 September 2026 .
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Thursday, 24 September 2026, declared that the bilateral military exercise Yudh Abhyas stands as a testament to the deepening defence partnership between India and the United States, as he witnessed troops from both nations train together at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan.
Ambassador's On-Ground Visit
Gor travelled to Rajasthan specifically to observe contingents of the Indian Army and the US Army conducting coordinated drills side by side. In a post on X, the Ambassador described the experience as 'impressive', writing: 'This exercise reflects the strength of our defence partnership: trust, readiness, interoperability, and shared purpose. Proud of what US Army and Indian Army are achieving together.'
The visit underlines Washington's interest in publicly reinforcing the strategic military relationship with New Delhi, particularly as both nations step up engagement under bilateral and multilateral frameworks.
What Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026 Involves
The 22nd edition of the joint India-US military exercise is being conducted simultaneously at Auli in Uttarakhand and the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan. The opening ceremony took place at Auli Foreign Training Node on 15 September 2026, and the exercise is scheduled to conclude on 28 September 2026.
Each side has deployed 600 personnel. The exercise was inaugurated by Major General Amaresh Gunjan, General Officer Commanding, 14 Infantry Division, and Colonel Benjamin Jackman, Commander, First Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, US Army.
Key Training Focus Areas
According to the Indian Army, the exercise is aimed at building the joint capability of both armies for the employment of Integrated Battle Groups in mountainous and semi-mountainous terrain, with an emphasis on infantry-dominated operations. Training activities have spanned small-arms firing, artillery engagements, long-range weapon systems, and attack helicopter operations across both mountainous and desert terrain.
The Ministry of Defence noted that technology infusion forms a key focus area this year, with training incorporating drones and autonomous systems for surveillance and reconnaissance, alongside demonstrations of contemporary weapon systems at the Mahajan ranges. Subject matter experts from both armies are also exchanging views on emerging technologies and developments in multi-domain warfare.
Broader Strategic Significance
Yudh Abhyas has been conducted annually since its inception and is one of the longest-running bilateral military exercises between the two nations. This edition's dual-location format — covering both alpine terrain at Auli and arid conditions at Mahajan — signals a deliberate effort to train for diverse operational environments, reflecting evolving threat perceptions across India's strategic frontiers.
The Indian Army's Additional Directorate General of Public Information noted on X that the exercise 'strengthened mutual understanding, operational coordination, confidence and the ability to operate together across diverse battlefields', framing it as a step from 'Shared Training to Shared Capability.'
What Comes Next
With the exercise set to wrap up on 28 September 2026, both armies are expected to consolidate learnings on interoperability and joint planning that could inform future multilateral engagements. The emphasis on drone integration and multi-domain warfare suggests this edition is being used to test emerging doctrines, not just reinforce existing ones.
Point of View
Moscow, and Beijing, American officials have intensified their presence at bilateral defence events to publicly lock in the relationship. The dual-terrain format of this Yudh Abhyas edition — alpine Auli and arid Mahajan — also raises a question mainstream coverage sidesteps: is this about interoperability in the abstract, or specific operational preparedness for identified threat environments along India's northern and western frontiers? The drone and multi-domain focus suggests the latter.
NationPress
24 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Exercise Yudh Abhyas?
Exercise Yudh Abhyas is an annual bilateral military exercise conducted jointly by the Indian Army and the US Army, aimed at building interoperability and joint operational capability. The 2026 edition is its 22nd iteration, being held simultaneously at Auli in Uttarakhand and the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan.
Why did US Ambassador Sergio Gor visit the exercise?
Ambassador Gor visited the Mahajan Field Firing Range on 24 September 2026 to witness Indian and US troops training together and to publicly reaffirm the strength of the India-US defence partnership. He posted on X that the exercise reflected 'trust, readiness, interoperability, and shared purpose' between the two armies.
What new elements are featured in Yudh Abhyas 2026?
This edition places particular emphasis on technology infusion, including the use of drones and autonomous systems for surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as demonstrations of contemporary weapon systems. Subject matter experts from both armies are also exchanging views on multi-domain warfare developments.
How many troops are participating and when does it end?
Each side — the Indian Army and the US Army — has deployed 600 personnel for the exercise. It began on 15 September 2026 and is scheduled to conclude on 28 September 2026.
What terrain does the exercise cover and why does it matter?
Yudh Abhyas 2026 is being conducted across both mountainous terrain at Auli, Uttarakhand, and desert terrain at Mahajan, Rajasthan, giving both armies exposure to diverse operational environments. This dual-terrain format reflects an intent to prepare Integrated Battle Groups for varied battlefield conditions rather than a single geography.
