US Army soldiers train with Indian Army weapons and equipment during Yudh Abhyas 2026

AULI, India — The Indian Army hosted a weapons and equipment display for U.S. Army Soldiers on Sept. 18 during Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026, giving participants hands-on time with Indian Army small arms, vehicles, and drone and counter-drone technology. U.S. Soldiers flew their own drones alongside Indian Army drones and were allowed to handle the equipment throughout the event, including firing an Indian Army rifle.

“Having our Soldiers get hands-on with Indian Army weapons and equipment builds a level of trust and understanding you can’t get from a briefing alone,” said Col. Ben Jackman, commander of 1st Mobile Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division. “That kind of exposure directly strengthens our interoperability and our partnership with the Indian Army.”

The exchange offered both sides a close look at each other’s equipment and capabilities, fostering familiarity to support interoperability during the remainder of the exercise. Yudh Abhyas 2026 is the 22nd iteration of the annual U.S. Army Pacific-sponsored bilateral exercise between the U.S. and Indian armies and is scheduled to conclude Sept. 27 with a formal closing ceremony. Since 2004, the exercise has enhanced combined interoperability and strengthened the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.