Indian and US Army personnel demonstrated the capabilities of the M777 Ultra Light Howitzer during Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026 at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan, highlighting artillery coordination and the exchange of operational techniques between the two forces.
During the live-firing activity, Indian Army gun crews demonstrated M777 firing procedures while US Army personnel observed the drills and interacted with Indian artillery teams at the gun positions. The engagement provided an opportunity for soldiers from both countries to exchange battlefield practices and improve their understanding of each other’s artillery procedures.
The live-fire demonstration followed a lecture-cum-demonstration on the deployment of the M777 conducted at the Mahajan range. The training covered several technical and tactical aspects of operating the lightweight artillery system, including the responsibilities of key appointments, gun deployment, local defence coordination, movement to alternate positions during counter-bombardment and shoot-and-scoot drills.
Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026 is the 22nd edition of the India-US bilateral Army exercise. It commenced on September 15 and is being conducted simultaneously at the Auli Foreign Training Node in Uttarakhand and the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan. Around 600 personnel from each side are participating in the exercise.
The exercise is focused on improving the ability of the two armies to operate together, particularly in mountainous and semi-mountainous terrain. The training includes infantry-focused operations, command post exercises, expert discussions, mountain warfare activities and exchanges on emerging military technologies. Drones and autonomous systems are also part of the broader training programme.
The M777 is a 155mm, 39-calibre lightweight towed howitzer developed for the US military. Its relatively low weight and air-transportable design make it suitable for operations in difficult and mountainous terrain. The Indian Army operates the M777 as part of its 155mm artillery fleet.
The ongoing exercise is also providing opportunities for both armies to exchange tactics, techniques and procedures while working toward greater interoperability. The US Army has said that Yudh Abhyas 2026 includes training in multidomain operations, unmanned and counter-unmanned systems, mountain warfare and live-fire activities at Mahajan.
Yudh Abhyas 2026 is scheduled to continue through September 28, with the two forces progressively moving from academic discussions and command-post activities to increasingly complex field training and live-fire scenarios.