IAF’s Sukhoi-30 MKI and Rafale Fighter Jets.
Indian Air Force Exercise Vayushakti-2026: The Indian Air Force (IAF) will demonstrate its operational prowess at Exercise Vayushakti-26, scheduled to be held on 27 February 2026 at the Pokhran Air-to-Ground Range in Jaisalmer.
The large-scale firepower demonstration is expected to highlight the IAF’s combat readiness, rapid response capability, and its ability to deliver decisive outcomes in high-intensity operational scenarios.
First, Fastest & Fiercest Responder
Positioning itself as the nation’s “first, fastest and fiercest responder,” the IAF will showcase its capacity to rapidly punish adversaries, dominate the operational environment from the outset, and convert tactical actions into strategic gains.
Beyond combat roles, the exercise will also present glimpses of the IAF’s humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) capabilities, including rapid airlift, rescue operations, and evacuation missions both within India and overseas conflict zones.
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Full-Spectrum Air Operations on Display
Exercise Vayushakti-2026 will feature full-spectrum operations involving fighter, transport, and helicopter platforms. Participating aircraft will include frontline fighters such as Tejas, Rafale, Jaguar, Mirage-2000, Sukhoi-30MKI, MiG-29, and Hawk.
Heavy and tactical airlift assets such as the C-130J, C-295, and C-17 will also take part, alongside rotary-wing platforms including Chetak, ALH Mk-IV, Mi-17 IV, Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), Apache, and Chinook helicopters. Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) will further augment the operational demonstration.
The exercise will incorporate advanced weapon systems, including Short Range Loitering Munitions (SRLM), Akash surface-to-air missile systems, SpyDer air defence systems, and Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS). Missions will be conducted across day, dusk, and night scenarios, underscoring round-the-clock operational readiness.
IAF Airbus C-295.
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Highlighting Operation Sindoor and Indigenous Strength
A key feature of Vayushakti-26 will be the highlighting of the success of Operation Sindoor, reinforcing the IAF’s primacy in airspace dominance, long-range precision targeting, and multi-domain operations.
The exercise will also underline the growing role of indigenous platforms and systems under the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India), showcasing India’s expanding defence manufacturing and technological capabilities.
Reassuring the Nation
Guided by its core values—“Achook, Abhedya aur Sateek” (Accurate, Impenetrable and Precise)—the IAF aims to reassure the nation of its preparedness and resolve. Vayushakti-26 is set to reaffirm the Air Force’s critical role within India’s national security architecture and its readiness to respond decisively across the spectrum of conflict.
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IAF’s Sukhoi-30 MKI and Rafale Fighter Jets.
