The U.S. Army’s 11th Airborne Division trained with Indian crews on M777A2 and Dhanush 155 mm howitzers and observed L70 Bofors air defense live fire during Yudh Abhyas 2026, expanding the exercise into direct procedural integration. The training improves tactical interoperability by exposing U.S. soldiers to Indian fire-mission methods, gun emplacement practices, and short-range air defense procedures across different equipment architectures. At the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan, personnel from the 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery Regiment worked alongside Indian artillery crews on the lightweight M777A2 and the longer-range Dhanush. At the same time, other 11th Airborne soldiers studied upgraded L70 40 mm air defense operations. The exchange gives both forces a clearer understanding of how partner units generate fires, reduce firing-position exposure, and protect maneuver and support elements despite differences in weapons, sensors, and command systems. Read more.
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| U.S. and Indian Army soldiers conduct maintenance on an M777 155 mm howitzer during bilateral artillery training at Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan on Sept. 19, 2026, as part of Yudh Abhyas 2026. (Picture source: US DoD) |