# India-US Yudh Abhyas in Rajasthan and Uttarakhand: M777 Ultra Light Howitzers Strike Direct Targets at Mahajan Field Firing Range > Troops from India and the United States demonstrated heavy artillery firepower using M777 ultra light howitzers to eliminate direct targets during the 22nd edition of their joint exercise. Spanning from the snowy heights of Auli to the desert terrain of Mahajan, around 600 personnel from each military are participating. **Type:** article · **Category:** Rajasthan · **Published:** 2026-09-20 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/rajasthan/rajasthan-aura-uttarakhand-men-india-us-yuddhabhyasa-m777-ultra-light-howitzer-ne-mahajan-field-firing-range-men-sidhe-bhede-satik-35232 · **Language:** English **Tags:** India US Military Exercise, M777 Howitzer, Mahajan Field Firing Range, Indian Army, Auli Exercise, Artillery Drills Armed forces from India and the United States have showcased their heavy artillery capabilities during an ongoing joint military exercise, successfully destroying direct targets at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan. Utilizing the M777 ultra light howitzer, the artillery crews engaged visible targets using a direct firing methodology, wiping out all designated coordinates with high precision. The drill highlighted the operational efficiency, gunnery skills, and combat preparedness of the participating units, with the Indian military reiterating its core readiness message of being alert at all moments, prepared at all times while advancing its mission from triumph to victory. ## M777 Live Firing Performance and Troop Exchanges The artillery live fire exercise took place on September 16 at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan, where the M777 artillery detachments carried out accurate strikes against assigned positions. Immediately following the conclusion of the firing drills, an American military contingent visited the operational deployment locations of the M777 guns. US personnel held direct interactions with the officers and gunners of the Indian artillery unit, sharing combat experiences, field perspectives, and operational methodologies. The interaction provided an opportunity for both militaries to test their capabilities in realistic battle settings while adopting effective practices from one another. ## Shoot and Scoot Drills and Operational Procedures Days prior to the live firing event, demonstrations and detailed technical lectures were conducted at the range to cover the logistical and operational facets of deploying the M777 ultra light howitzers. The instruction detailed individual crew duties, setup protocols, and tactical measures needed to coordinate local area defense. A key component of the tactical training centered on retaliatory fire survival, familiarizing troops with the protocols required to relocate to alternate firing positions under threat. Units practiced the shoot and scoot maneuver, an artillery doctrine emphasizing the immediate displacement of the gun following an engagement to prevent the adversary from locking onto the launch site. These tactical drills gave personnel from both sides an understanding of each other's field routines and operational tactics. ## 22nd Edition Spans High Altitudes in Auli to Desert Terrain This engagement marks the 22nd edition of the bilateral exercise between India and the United States, operating concurrently across starkly different environments. The joint drills span the snow-covered mountainous terrain of Auli in Uttarakhand and the arid expanses of the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan. Approximately 600 personnel from the Indian forces and roughly 600 soldiers from the American military are taking part in the coordinated actions. Modern technological assets form an integral element of the training, with soldiers deploying surveillance drones and autonomous systems for reconnaissance and battlefield monitoring alongside demonstrations of advanced weapon platforms in the desert firing zone. ## What this means for you This bilateral exercise enhances operational interoperability and strengthens rapid defense capabilities across challenging border environments. - **Across India:** Close military cooperation enhances overall defense readiness and cross-border operational coordination between allied partners. The joint drills equip service personnel with direct exposure to advanced combat methodologies and integrated battle systems. - **In Rajasthan and Uttarakhand:** Conducting drills in local firing ranges and high-altitude sectors tests rapid response readiness in sensitive border zones. The activities validate localized defense frameworks and operational management in desert and alpine environments. - **Technological Integration:** The extensive deployment of autonomous systems and surveillance drones advances field-level technological integration. Ground forces gain hands-on operational practice with modern tactical surveillance platforms. - **Interoperability Standards:** Mobilizing around 600 troops from each nation establishes standardized tactical and operational protocols. Such coordination ensures seamless communication and combined workflow efficiency during any future joint missions. ## Why this happened This joint exercise was organized to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation and train personnel under realistic, demanding operational environments. - **Bilateral Strategic Coordination:** The two militaries conduct regular joint drills to facilitate the exchange of combat doctrines and tactical knowledge. These engagements ensure both forces can execute coordinated operations with minimal procedural friction. - **Diverse Terrain Requirements:** Training concurrently in the sub-zero high-altitude peaks of Auli and the arid desert of Mahajan was necessary to challenge operational resilience. This dual-geography approach tested equipment performance and troop endurance across opposing environmental extremes. - **Artillery Capability Validation:** Validating the direct firing and shoot-and-scoot procedures of the M777 ultra light howitzers was a primary driver for the drills. The maneuvers confirmed crew proficiency in executing rapid target destruction followed by immediate tactical repositioning. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. Which edition of the joint military exercise is taking place between India and the US? The forces are conducting the 22nd edition of their bilateral military exercise. ### 2. Which weapon system carried out live firing at the Mahajan Field Firing Range? The M777 ultra light howitzer carried out live direct firing at the range. ### 3. Where is the joint exercise currently being conducted? The exercise is underway across Auli in Uttarakhand and the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan. ### 4. How many soldiers are participating from each country? Approximately 600 personnel from India and 600 from the United States are taking part. ### 5. What is the objective of practicing the shoot and scoot maneuver? The procedure trains crews to rapidly relocate artillery guns immediately after firing to evade enemy counter-battery strikes. ### 6. What technology was deployed for reconnaissance and monitoring during the drills? Troops utilized surveillance drones and autonomous systems for intelligence gathering and battlefield monitoring. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._