U.S. and Indian Army snipers trained together on long-range marksmanship on September 22 near Auli, India, during Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026, according to the Department of War.
Sniper teams paired U.S. and Indian soldiers and engaged targets ranging from 500 to 580 meters using the Indian Army's Sako TRG rifle chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum, with training progressing from basic rifle zeroing through advanced shots in wooded and flat terrain.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Dylan Tinkey, recon platoon sergeant with the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Mobile Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, brought prior experience from a 25-day subject-matter expert exchange at the Indian Army Sniper School in Mhow earlier this year.
Tinkey said the rifle was comparable to the U.S. Mark 22 sniper rifle in operation and capability. He noted that the shooter-spotter process translated easily between the two armies, with only minor communication differences based on similar mil adjustment methodology.
Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026 is the 22nd iteration of the annual bilateral exercise between the U.S. and Indian armies, sponsored by U.S. Army Pacific. The exercise was scheduled to conclude September 27.