Sergio Gor Witnesses Joint Firing Demonstration By Indian, US Army During Yudh Abhyas 2026
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor and Lieutenant General Vikrant Suresh Deshpande, General Officer Commanding, 10 Corps, witnessed a joint firing demonstration by Indian and US Army personnel at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan during Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026.
The demonstration brought together artillery, aviation, air-defence and surveillance systems from both armies, showcasing the scale of the ongoing bilateral military exercise.
Pinaka, M777 And HIMARS Featured In Demonstration
The Indian Army showcased the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher, M777 ultra-light howitzer and Dhanush artillery system, along with AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, L70 air-defence guns and Swathi weapon-locating radars.
The US Army fielded HIMARS and M-LIDS during the demonstration.
The joint drills involved coordinated activities designed to improve interoperability and allow personnel from both armies to train with each other’s systems, procedures and tactical approaches.
Sergio Gor Highlights Defence Cooperation
Sharing his observations on X, Gor said he was impressed to see US and Indian forces training together at the Mahajan Field Firing Range. He described the exercise as reflecting the defence partnership, trust, readiness and interoperability between the two countries.
Gor also posted about his arrival at the firing range, describing Yudh Abhyas 2026 as India’s largest bilateral defence exercise with any nation and saying he looked forward to seeing US and Indian troops train alongside each other.
22nd Edition Of Yudh Abhyas Underway
The 22nd edition of Exercise Yudh Abhyas officially began on September 15 at the Auli Foreign Training Node in Uttarakhand.
The opening ceremony was led by Major General Amaresh Gunjan, General Officer Commanding of the 14 Infantry Division, and Colonel Benjamin Jackman, Commander of the 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, US Army.
Around 600 personnel from each country are participating in the exercise. The ongoing drills are being conducted simultaneously across Auli and the Rajasthan firing range.
Joint Training Across Mountainous And Desert Terrain
According to the Indian Army’s Additional Directorate General of Public Information, the exercise has involved integrated training across mountainous and desert terrain.
The drills have included small-arms firing, artillery engagements, long-range weapon systems and attack helicopter operations, with both armies conducting coordinated drills, synchronised battle procedures and combined-arms activities.
The exercise is aimed at strengthening mutual understanding, operational coordination, confidence and the ability of the two armies to work together across different battlefield environments.
