The Indian Air Force (IAF) on February 27 carried out Exercise Vayushakti-26 at the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district, putting on display its combat preparedness and ability to execute integrated air operations across the full spectrum of warfare.
President Droupadi Murmu attended the firepower demonstration as the Chief Guest. She was accompanied by Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and several senior officials including Raj Kumar Goyal, T.V. Somanathan and Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan. Senior military officers, defence attaches, veterans, government representatives, media personnel and school students were also present.
Earlier in the day, the President flew in the indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand, highlighting India’s continued push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
For the first time, the exercise was conducted with a structured operational storyline, turning it into a simulated live combat scenario. It brought together offensive air strikes, air defence missions, special forces operations and humanitarian assistance tasks, underlining the IAF’s role as a multi-domain force and a first responder in times of crisis.
The event began with the National Song and National Anthem, followed by a ceremonial flypast by Chetak helicopters carrying the National Flag, the Air Force Ensign and the Operation Sindoor flag. A Rafale fighter jet then created a sonic boom, signalling the start of the high-intensity demonstrations.
More than 130 aircraft participated in the day-and-night exercise. The fleet included Rafale, Su-30 MKI, Mirage-2000, MiG-29, Jaguar and Hawk fighter jets, along with Mi-17 helicopters and transport aircraft such as C-130J, C-295 and C-17. Indigenous platforms like the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv and LCH Prachand were also part of the drill.
Fighter jets carried out precision strikes on simulated enemy targets using advanced air-to-ground munitions and long-range weapons. Air defence drills showcased coordinated engagements involving airborne assets and ground-based systems like the Akash and Spyder missile systems, supported by Army air defence guns including L-70 and M-777, reflecting close joint coordination between air and ground forces.
Special operations were a major highlight. As dusk fell, Garud Special Forces and Para SF commandos were inserted by Mi-17 helicopters for simulated urban combat and hostage rescue missions. Transport aircraft later performed assault landings and evacuation drills from an Advanced Landing Ground, demonstrating the IAF’s rapid deployment and casualty evacuation capabilities.
The night phase featured integrated air defence operations and precision strikes by multiple fighter platforms, underscoring round-the-clock readiness.
The exercise concluded with a symbolic ceasefire flypast by a C-17 aircraft, followed by a drone display celebrating the IAF’s legacy. Guided by its core values of “Achook, Abhedya aur Sateek”, Exercise Vayushakti-26 reaffirmed the Air Force’s operational doctrine, jointmanship and technological capability.