Rampur Hounds Join Yudh Abhyas 2026 Exercise

Yudh Abhyas 2026 is the 22nd edition of the annual India-United States joint military exercise. It began on 9 September 2026 and is scheduled to conclude on 28 September 2026, with the opening ceremony held on 15 September 2026. The exercise is being conducted at the Auli Foreign Training Node in Uttarakhand and the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan.

Yudh Abhyas Exercise

Yudh Abhyas is a bilateral military exercise between the Indian Army and the United States Army. The exercise is held annually and is used for field training, tactical drills, and interoperability between the two armies. The 2026 edition includes about 600 soldiers from each side.

Military Working Dogs in the Exercise

Four Indian Army canines are taking part in the exercise. They include two indigenous Rampur Hounds named Victor and Rowdy, a Belgian Malinois named Zac, and a Labrador Retriever named Rice. The dogs are demonstrating room intervention and rappelling drills, which are part of military working dog training in tactical environments.

Operational Background of Rampur Hounds

Rampur Hounds are an indigenous Indian dog breed associated with the Rampur region in Uttar Pradesh. Victor and Rowdy have earlier participated in an international multilateral exercise at Umroi in Meghalaya and have detected Improvised Explosive Devices along the Manipur border. Their siblings were deployed in the Jalandhar and Amritsar sectors during Operation Sindoor.

Important Facts for Exams

• Yudh Abhyas is a bilateral exercise between the Indian Army and the United States Army.
• The 2026 edition is the 22nd edition of the exercise.
• The exercise is being held at Auli Foreign Training Node and Mahajan Field Firing Range.
• Rampur Hounds are an indigenous Indian dog breed used by the Indian Army.

Exercise Focus Areas

Yudh Abhyas 2026 includes training on high-altitude warfare, long-range precision fires, counter-drone capabilities, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations. The United States Army’s 11th Airborne Division and Indian Army formations such as X Corps, 14 RAPID, and II Corps are part of the exercise. Military working dogs are used by armed forces for detection, tracking, patrol, and assault support roles. The Indian Army has used breeds such as the Rampur Hound, Belgian Malinois, and Labrador Retriever in operational and training roles.