U.S. Army Soldiers get hands-on with Indian Army weapons, equipment during Yudh Abhyas 2026

AULI, India — The Indian Army hosted a weapons and equipment display for U.S. Army Soldiers Sept. 18 during Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026, giving Soldiers t… AULI, India — The Indian Army hosted a weapons and equipment display for U.S. Army Soldiers Sept. 18 during Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026, giving Soldiers the opportunity to handle and test Indian Army small arms, vehicles and other equipment. The display included Indian Army small arms, vehicles and drone and counter-drone technology. U.S. Soldiers flew their own drones alongside Indian Army drones during the demonstration and were given hands-on access to the equipment throughout the event, including the opportunity to fire 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." Exchanges like this give U.S. and Indian Army Soldiers a direct look at each other's equipment and capabilities, building the kind of familiarity that supports interoperability throughout the rest of YA26. Yudh Abhyas 2026 is the 22nd iteration of the annual U.S. Army Pacific-sponsored bilateral exercise between the U.S. and Indian armies. The exercise is