Jaisalmer: President Draupadi Murmu arrived in Jaisalmer on Thursday at 7:30 pm on a two-day visit. She has come to participate in the Indian Air Force’s largest mega exercise, ‘Vayu Shakti-2026’. On Friday, the President will conduct an aerial inspection of the entire exercise area from Jaisalmer Air Force Station aboard the Light Combat Helicopter ‘Prachand’.
At Jaisalmer Air Force Station, Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma formally welcomed the President with a guard of honor. Following the welcome, the President’s convoy proceeded directly to the Army Station, where she stayed overnight. The President’s visit is considered strategically significant, as she will witness the country’s largest air force exercise, being held very close to the Pakistan border. Historic Aerial Inspection in the Prachand Helicopter: On Friday morning, the President will fly from the Jaisalmer Air Force Station in the Light Combat Helicopter “Prachand” and conduct a detailed aerial inspection of the entire exercise area. This will be the first time a President will fly as a co-pilot in an indigenous combat helicopter in border airspace. Following the inspection, she will interact with and encourage officers and airmen at the Air Force Station.
Main Exercise Event in Pokhran: Following the aerial inspection, the President will proceed to the Pokhran Field Firing Range, where the main demonstration of “Vayu Shakti-2026” will take place. This firing range is located very close to the international border and has been the site of major Army and Air Force exercises from time to time.
State-of-the-art aircraft will showcase their strength: The Indian Air Force will showcase its full firepower in this mega exercise. The Dassault Rafale, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules, and several indigenous fighter aircraft will demonstrate their prowess in the sky. A total of 77 fighter jets and 43 helicopters are participating in this exercise. The ability to land the special force “Garud Commandos” in the battlefield will also be demonstrated. 12,000 kg of ammunition will be used: According to Air Force officials, approximately 12,000 kg of ammunition will be used during the entire exercise. This time, special emphasis will be placed on demonstrating precision strike capabilities, modern technology, and loitering munitions (kamikaze drones). The amount of ammunition is slightly less than in the 2025 exercise, but the focus is on greater precision and indigenous technology. Tight security arrangements: In view of the President’s visit and the major military exercise, the entire area from Jaisalmer to Chandan has been temporarily declared a “no-fly zone.” The police, administration, BSF, and other security agencies are on full alert. Extra surveillance has been increased in border areas. A full dress rehearsal was held on February 24th, with fighter jets resonating in the sky and bombing drills shaking the entire area.
The presence of President Draupadi Murmu, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, adds further significance to the event. Her visit will not only boost the morale of the air force but also send a strong message of India’s unwavering security commitment near the Pakistan border. Through “Vayu Shakti 2026,” India aims to demonstrate to the world that its Air Force is fully capable of delivering precise and effective strikes day and night, in all weather conditions, and under all conditions. Special Traffic Arrangements: The district police have completed extensive security and traffic management preparations for the “Vayu Shakti 2026” event. In view of the proposed VVIP and VIP movement during the event, special plans have been implemented to maintain law and order, security, and smooth traffic flow. The event will be held in the Pokhran Field Firing Range area, where a large number of spectators and members of the public are expected.
Under the direction of District Superintendent of Police Abhishek Shivhare, a special deployment of police, traffic police, and mobile patrol teams has been made. SP Shivhare stated that due to the presence of dignitaries from India and abroad, multi-layered security arrangements have been made. Additional police forces have been deployed at sensitive locations, and intensive checking will be conducted at entry and exit points. This will be the designated traffic route: He stated that from 12 noon on February 27th until the end of the event, a special route has been designated for vehicles traveling from Jaisalmer city to Pokhran and returning from Pokhran to Jaisalmer. Vehicles will travel from Shaheed Jaisingh Square via Akal Phanta, Devikot, Rasla, and Sankda to Pokhran. The same route has been designated for the return journey. Mobile police teams will continuously patrol this route to ensure no inconvenience occurs. Traffic in-charge Hukumaram will be in charge of the diversion of vehicles going from Jaisalmer city towards Pokhran, while the responsibility of diverting vehicles coming from Pokhran to Jaisalmer on the prescribed route has been given to Station House Officer Bharat Singh of Pokhran police station.
