Yudh Abhyas 2026: India-US joint drill brings elite ‘Arctic Angels’ unit into war games

The Indian and United States armies have commenced their 22nd annual combined military exercise, Yudh Abhyas 2026, in Uttarakhand's Auli and Rajasthan's Bikaner. The joint training focuses on enhancing interoperability and joint planning, particularly in challenging mountainous and semi-mountainous terrain. The exercise features 600 Indian and American personnel each, including the US Army's elite "Arctic Angels" unit, renowned for extreme cold-weather and Arctic operations.

Key areas of focus for the exercise include Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs) operations, infantry tactics, and the integration of drones, autonomous systems, and long-range precision fires. The Ministry of Defence highlighted that the exercise aims to strengthen the combined military capability of both nations, facilitate the exchange of best practices, and enhance joint planning and execution.

Moreover, the training will encompass the latest technology, such as unmanned aerial vehicles and autonomous systems, for surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as demonstrations of cutting-edge weapon systems. The participation of the US Army's 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force (3MDTF) adds another layer to the exercise, introducing advanced long-range precision fires and integrated command-and-control systems into the framework.