What is the News?

  • The Indian Air Force (IAF) will conduct a major air combat exercise called Vayu Shakti 2026 on 27 February 2026.
  • Location: Near Jaisalmer, close to the Pakistan border
  • Type: Simulated war exercise
  • Participation: More than 100 aircraft
  • This will be the largest air combat drill of the IAF this year.
WHY IS THIS EXERCISE IMPORTANT? This exercise is important because it demonstrates India’s:
  • Military preparedness
  • Ability to defend borders
  • Offensive and defensive air capabilities
  • Coordination between different air units
  • It comes shortly after Operation Sindoor, during which the IAF demonstrated operational readiness. Vayu Shakti 2026 further strengthens that message.
MEANING OF SIMULATED WAR ENVIRONMENT A simulated war means:
  • No real conflict
  • Practice under real-like battlefield conditions
  • Aircraft attack dummy targets
  • Air defence systems respond as they would in actual war
This helps test:
  • Speed
  • Accuracy
  • Communication
  • Response capability
FIGHTER AIRCRAFT PARTICIPATING The exercise will include almost all frontline fighter aircraft:
  • Rafale
  • Su-30 MKI
  • Tejas
  • MiG-29
  • Jaguar
  • Mirage 2000
  • BAE Hawk
  • Important Point: The MiG-21 will not participate, as it has been retired from service.
HELICOPTERS & TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT The following helicopters and transport aircraft will also participate:
  • HAL Prachand – Indigenous attack helicopter firing rockets during live drills
  • Boeing CH-47 Chinook
  • Mil Mi-17
  • C-130J Super Hercules
  • Airbus C-295

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

  • The C-295 will perform a night assault landing for the first time in this exercise.
  • The C-130J will land on a short runway, deploy Garud commandos, and take off quickly.
  • Attack helicopters will secure the landing area.
  • This shows India’s capability to conduct rapid military operations in challenging conditions.
AIR DEFENCE SYSTEM ACTIVATED India has fully activated its air defence systems during the exercise. Important systems include:
  • Akash missile system
  • L-70 guns
  • Anti-drone systems
  • Anti-aircraft platforms These systems create multiple layers of protection for Indian airspace.
WHAT IS IACCS? The exercise will be monitored by the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS). This system:
  • Tracks aircraft in real time
  • Collects data from long, medium and short-range radars
  • Provides a complete air situation picture
  • Helps coordinate offensive and defensive missions It ensures better control and faster decision-making during operations.

WAS PAKISTAN INFORMED?

  • Yes.
  • Pakistan was informed through a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen). However, India has still activated full air defence as a precautionary measure.

Who Will Witness the Exercise?

  • Several VVIPs
  • Around 40 officials from embassies of friendly countries
  • This shows India’s confidence in its air power and military readiness.