The Indian Air Force (IAF) will demonstrate its prowess through exercise Vayushakti-26 at Pokhran Air to Ground Range, Jaisalmer on 27 February 2026.

As the first, fastest and fiercest responder, the IAF will highlight its ability to rapidly punish the enemy, dominate operational environment from the outset and decisively influence the course of operations by transforming tactical actions into strategic outcomes. The exercise will also showcase glimpses of how the IAF plays a crucial role in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) by providing rapid airlift and rescue and evacuation from conflict zones within the country as well as abroad.

The full spectrum operations by fighter, transport and helicopter platforms including Tejas, Rafale, Jaguar, Mirage-2000, Sukhoi- 30MKI, MiG-29, Hawk, C-130J, C-295, C-17, Chetak, ALH MK-IV, Mi-17 IV, LCH, Apache, Chinook and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) will be executed. The exercise will also feature advanced weapon systems such as Short Range Loitering Munitions (SRLM), Akash, SpyDer and Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS), carrying out day, dusk and night missions.

Vayushakti-26 will also highlight the success of Operation Sindoor, reaffirming the IAF’s primacy in airspace dominance, long-range precision targeting, multi-domain operations and its ability to deliver decisive effects with indigenous platforms guided by the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.

Guided by the core values ‘Achook, Abhedya aur Sateek’, the exercise aims to reassure the nation by reaffirming the IAF’s role as a key component of India’s national security architecture.