Joint medical drills strengthen interoperability and combined response capabilities
New Delhi : U.S. Army soldiers and Indian Army personnel conducted bilateral casualty evacuation and medical training during Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026 at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan.
The training involved casualty assessment and treatment, ground movement and aviation evacuation, allowing medical personnel from both armies to rehearse procedures and exchange techniques in a combined operational environment. The drills were aimed at strengthening coordination between ground and aviation elements and improving medical readiness. (DVIDS)
Yudh Abhyas 2026 is the 22nd edition of the India-U.S. bilateral Army exercise. It formally commenced on September 15, 2026, and is being conducted simultaneously at Auli in Uttarakhand and Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan. Around 600 personnel from each country are participating. (Press Information Bureau)
The exercise focuses on enhancing interoperability, joint planning and operational readiness, particularly for operations in mountainous and semi-mountainous terrain. Training activities include mountain warfare and cold-weather operations, counter-unmanned aircraft systems, multidomain operations and live-fire exercises. (U.S. Army)
The exercise also features training and exchanges involving drones, autonomous systems and contemporary weapon systems, along with expert discussions on emerging technologies, space, cyber and multidomain warfare. U.S. and Indian soldiers have also conducted M777 artillery training, jungle warfare drills and equipment exchanges during the exercise. (DVIDS)
Yudh Abhyas has been conducted annually since 2004 and provides both armies an opportunity to exchange tactics, techniques and procedures, build professional relationships and improve their ability to operate together across varied operational environments. The 2026 edition is scheduled to conclude on September 28. (U.S. Army)