Jaipur: The Indian Air Force will showcase its might at the Pokhran firing range in Jaisalmer district. Fighter jets like Rafale, Tejas, Sukhoi, Jaguar, and Mirage will roar through the skies of Pokhran. Remotely operated helicopters will also participate in the exercise. The country’s advanced weapon systems will also be demonstrated.
According to a statement issued by the Press Information Bureau (Defense Wing), the Indian Air Force will conduct Exercise Vayu Shakti-26 at the Pokhran Air-to-Ground Range on February 27. Inspired by the core values of “accurate, impenetrable, and precise,” this exercise will reaffirm the IAF’s role as a key component of India’s national security architecture and provide assurance in keeping the nation safe.
Demonstration of Tactical Operations and Rescue Operations: The statement said that the Indian Air Force, as the fastest and most effective reactive force, will demonstrate its ability to quickly strike the enemy, dominate from the outset, and strategically execute tactical operations. The exercise will also showcase the vital role the Indian Air Force plays in humanitarian assistance and disaster management by providing rapid air support, rescue, and evacuation in conflict zones within the country and abroad.
Advanced Weaponry Demonstration: The Air Force exercise will feature a variety of Air Force aircraft, including the Tejas, Rafale, Jaguar, Mirage-2000, Sukhoi-30 MKI, MiG-29, Hawk, C-130J, C-295, C-17, Chetak, ALH MK-IV, MI-17 IV, LCH, Apache, Chinook, and remotely piloted aircraft, along with combat transport and helicopters. The exercise will also showcase advanced weapon systems such as Short Range Loitering Ammunitions, Akash, Spyder, and Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS).
Day, Dusk, and Night Missions: Missions will be conducted during day, dusk, and night. Vayu Shakti-26 will also demonstrate the success of Operation Sindoor, which reaffirms the Indian Air Force’s superiority in airspace dominance, long-range precision strikes, multi-domain operations, and decisive effectiveness capabilities from indigenous platforms, guided by the vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.
