The drill will test the Indian Air Force’s combat readiness through large-scale simulated war scenarios, integrating fighters, transport aircraft, helicopters, drones and layered air defence systems under real-time command control.
The Indian Air Force will conduct a major air combat exercise near the Pakistan border on February 27, showcasing its full spectrum of offensive and defensive capabilities in a simulated war environment.
The exercise, named Vayu Shakti 2026, will be held near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan and is expected to be the IAF’s largest air combat drill of the year. It comes weeks after the force demonstrated its operational readiness during Operation Sindoor.
According to defence officials, airbases and assets of the IAF’s Western and South Western Air Commands will participate in the exercise. All units have been fully activated, with more than 100 aircraft expected to take part.
Almost all frontline fighter aircraft and air defence systems that were part of Operation Sindoor will be deployed during the exercise. These include Rafale, Su-30 MKI, Tejas, MiG-29, Jaguar, Mirage-2000 and Hawk aircraft, which will be seen engaging ground and aerial targets with precision. The MiG-21, now retired from IAF service, will not feature in the exercise for the first time. The indigenous Prachand attack helicopter will also participate, firing rockets during live drills.
The exercise will be conducted in a simulated wartime scenario and monitored through the IAF’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), which enables real-time tracking and coordination of air operations. Inputs from long-range, medium-range and short-range radars will be integrated to generate a comprehensive air picture for both offensive and defensive missions.
In addition to fighter jets, fixed-wing transport aircraft such as the C-130J and C-295 will take part, along with helicopter units including Prachand, Chinook, Mi-17 and Advanced Light Helicopter platforms. Drones and loitering munitions used during Operation Sindoor will also be deployed.
For the first time, the C-295 transport aircraft will carry out a night assault landing drill during the Vayu Shakti exercise. The C-130J Super Hercules will be seen landing on a short runway, deploying Garud commandos in a simulated war zone and taking off again within minutes, while attack helicopters secure the area.
