Bilateral military combat exercises
Indian Apache Helicopters Join India-US Military Drills Across Two States
Anonymous
Indian Army AH-64E Apache attack helicopters are participating in Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026, adding attack aviation to integrated India-U.S. Army training. The exercise’s 22nd edition involves about 600 personnel from each country and is taking place simultaneously in mountainous Uttarakhand and desert Rajasthan. Troops are practicing joint mission planning, battlefield coordination, combined-arms maneuvers and precision engagement while refining communications and shared procedures. The expanded drills also cover artillery, long-range fires, Integrated Battle Group operations and counter-drone warfare, underscoring the two militaries’ efforts to improve interoperability across diverse combat environments.
Key Points
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Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026 began on September 15 and is scheduled to conclude on September 28. The U.S. contingent includes troops from the 11th Airborne Division.
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The counter-drone component includes the U.S. Mobile Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System (MLIDS), adding a specific unmanned-systems defense element to the exercise.
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The Apache helicopters are expected to contribute Hellfire missiles, 70 mm rockets and 30 mm chain guns to the exercise’s fire-support framework.
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U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said the two armies were exchanging knowledge on weapons, equipment and unmanned systems during the exercise, highlighting a broader military-technology exchange beyond field manoeuvres.
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The six Apaches participating from the Indian Army are part of the 451 Army Aviation Squadron based in Jodhpur; the Army is reportedly considering expanding its fleet by another 12 to 18 helicopters to support strike formations.
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