India and the United States have commenced the 22nd edition of Exercise Yudh Abhyas, marking the first time the annual bilateral military exercise is being conducted in a two-theatre format. The exercise is being held simultaneously across two contrasting operational environments—Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan and Auli in Uttarakhand—to strengthen joint operational readiness in both desert and high-altitude warfare. Unlike previous editions, Yudh Abhyas 2026 combines two distinct battle theatres within a single exercise. Troops will first train in the desert terrain of Rajasthan, focusing on long-range precision strikes and mechanized operations, before moving to the Himalayan mountains of Uttarakhand, where they will conduct high-altitude combat, air assault, and mountain warfare drills.