ISLAMABAD: The Indian Air Force is set to conduct Exercise Vayu Shakti-2026 at the Pokhran Air-to-Ground Range in Rajasthan on February 27, marking a significant display of its combat capabilities shortly after Operation Sindoor. This biennial firepower demonstration will involve over 120 defence assets, including frontline fighter jets such as Rafale, Su-30MKI, MiG-29, and indigenous Tejas, alongside helicopters and transport aircraft. Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor highlighted that the exercise assumes added importance as the first major showcase following Operation Sindoor, emphasizing the IAF’s role in precision targeting and airspace dominance. The event aims to reaffirm India’s air power readiness amid regional security dynamics.
The exercise will feature full-spectrum operations across day, dusk, and night conditions, deploying 77 fighter aircraft, 43 helicopters, and eight transport platforms. Key participants include Rafale, known for its multi-role versatility, Su-30MKI for long-range strike prowess, MiG-29 for agile combat, and Tejas as a symbol of indigenous defence manufacturing. Additional assets encompass Jaguar, Mirage-2000, Hawk trainers, C-130J, C-295, C-17 transports, and helicopters like Apache, Chinook, LCH Prachand, ALH, and Mi-17 variants. Remotely piloted aircraft will also feature prominently. This integration underscores the IAF’s push towards multi-domain operations and self-reliance under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
A staggering 277 weapons systems will be employed during the two-and-a-half-hour demonstration, expending approximately 12,000 kilograms of explosives on 23 designated targets. Precision-guided munitions, including short-range loitering munitions, Astra air-to-air missiles, and surface-to-air systems like Akash and SpyDer, will be showcased alongside counter-unmanned aerial systems. The exercise will simulate realistic combat scenarios, highlighting rapid response, long-range strikes, and the ability to dominate the operational environment from the outset of any conflict. Such demonstrations serve to project deterrence and operational superiority.
Operation Sindoor, conducted last year, saw the IAF execute successful precision strikes, with Rafale jets playing a pivotal role as described by Air Marshal Kapoor as a “hero” platform. The upcoming Vayu Shakti will recreate elements of those operations, illustrating how tactical actions translate into strategic outcomes. It will also emphasize the IAF’s contributions to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, including rapid airlift and evacuation capabilities in contested zones. The biennial nature of the exercise ensures continuous validation of tactics, techniques, and procedures honed through real-world experiences.
The Pokhran range, located in the Thar Desert near Jaisalmer and close to the India-Pakistan border, provides an ideal setting for live-fire demonstrations due to its vast expanse and isolation. Previous editions of Vayu Shakti have drawn high-profile observers, boosting morale and serving as a recruitment tool by showcasing career opportunities in the IAF. This year’s focus on indigenous platforms like Tejas and Prachand aligns with efforts to reduce import dependency while enhancing technological integration across the fleet.
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Defence analysts view the exercise as a message of readiness in a volatile regional context, where air superiority remains critical. The inclusion of advanced air defence and counter-drone systems reflects evolving threats, including unmanned aerial vehicles. By combining legacy and modern assets, the IAF demonstrates adaptability and sustained operational edge. The event will conclude with a comprehensive review to incorporate lessons for future doctrines.
The demonstration reinforces the IAF’s identity as the nation’s first, fastest, and fiercest responder, capable of influencing conflict trajectories decisively. As preparations advance, with a full dress rehearsal planned earlier, the exercise promises to captivate audiences while underscoring India’s commitment to robust defence posture.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rafale-su-30-tejas-to-be-part-of-vayu-shakti-at-pokhran-will-highlight-operation-sindoor-success-10527568
