New Delhi: Advanced unmanned warfare was put on display at Rajasthan’s Mahajan field firing range on Saturday, with the Indian Army releasing footage of a SkyStriker loitering munition completing a target engagement during Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026. The system was shown moving through the engagement sequence from target detection to the final strike as Indian and US forces continued their joint combat training.
The demonstration brings autonomous and unmanned capabilities into a drill that is increasingly focused on how technology is changing battlefield operations. The Army said the activity showcased indigenous defence technology and precision effects, while the defence ministry has identified drones and autonomous systems as a key part of the exercise’s technology focus.
The latest footage also adds to a series of high-end battlefield demonstrations at Mahajan this week. On Thursday, the US ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, witnessed Indian and US troops conduct a joint firing demonstration involving multiple weapon and surveillance systems.
As reported earlier by RNA Media, the Indian contingent deployed the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher, M777 ultra-light howitzer and Dhanush artillery system during the demonstration. AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, L70 air-defence guns and Swathi weapon-locating radars were also featured, while the US Army brought HIMARS and the M-LIDS counter-drone system.
Gor said the joint training reflected the strength of the India-US defence partnership, highlighting trust, readiness, interoperability and shared purpose. He had earlier described Yudh Abhyas as India’s largest bilateral defence exercise with any single country when he announced his arrival at Mahajan.
The SkyStriker activity fits into the wider technology-driven training programme being conducted by the two armies. Alongside live firing and combined-arms drills, the exercise is using drones and autonomous systems for surveillance and reconnaissance while troops exchange tactics, techniques and procedures.
The 22nd edition of Yudh Abhyas is being conducted at Mahajan in Rajasthan and Auli in Uttarakhand, with around 600 personnel from each country taking part. Training is focused on integrated battle groups, infantry-dominated operations, joint planning and coordinated military activity across varied terrain.
The exercise is scheduled to continue until September 28. Its latest phase is bringing together conventional firepower and newer battlefield technologies, ranging from artillery and attack aviation to counter-drone systems and unmanned precision platforms.