Rampur Hounds, other Army canines showcase tactical skills at Yudh Abhyas 2026

Four Indian Army canines are participating in the ongoing India-U.S. bilateral exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026, putting their specialised operational training on display alongside American troops.

The team comprises two indigenous Rampur Hounds, Victor and Rowdy, along with Belgian Malinois Zac and Labrador Retriever Rice. The dogs are demonstrating room intervention and rappelling drills as part of professional exchanges with the U.S. Army.

The demonstrations gave U.S. Army personnel a first-hand view of how the canines are trained, their agility, and the way they are employed with troops in demanding tactical situations.

The participation of the Rampur Hounds is significant because the breed is indigenous to India and is being increasingly inducted for specialised military roles. Their presence at the exercise reflects the Army's push to employ native canine breeds for operational tasks.

Victor and Rowdy are not new to field conditions. The Rampur Hounds had earlier taken part in an international multilateral exercise at Umroi in Meghalaya and were later deployed along the Manipur border, where they successfully detected improvised explosive devices. Their siblings were deployed in the Jalandhar and Amritsar sectors during Operation Sindoor, showing the breed's utility across varied operational environments.

The canines also carry operational experience from deployments along India's northern and eastern borders.

The involvement of the Army Canines in Yudh Abhyas 2026 highlights the expanding role of trained military dogs in specialised operations and the close coordination between the animals and their handlers during tactical missions.