The Indian Air Force (IAF) will demonstrate its capabilities through Exercise Vayushakti-26 at Pokhran Air to Ground Range, Jaisalmer on February 27, 2026. The exercise will showcase the IAF's ability to respond rapidly, dominate the operational environment, and influence strategic outcomes, as well as its role in humanitarian assistance and disaster management.
The exercise will feature 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 and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). Advanced weapon systems such as Short Range Loitering Munitions (SRLM), Akash, SpyDer and Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS) will also be featured in day, dusk and night missions.
Vayushakti-26 will highlight the success of Operation Sindoor, reaffirming 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'. The exercise is guided by the core values "Achook, Abhedya aur Sateek". The press release was posted on February 11, 2026, at 5:09 PM by PIB Delhi.
Key Entities Referenced
Exercise Vayushakti-26: A military exercise to be conducted by the Indian Air Force.
Indian Air Force (IAF): The primary operator of Exercise Vayushakti-26.
Pokhran Air to Ground Range, Jaisalmer: The location where Exercise Vayushakti-26 will take place.
Ministry of Defence: The ministry under which the Indian Air Force operates and has oversight over Exercise Vayushakti-26.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat: A vision guiding the use of indigenous platforms in military operations.
Ministry of Defence
CURTAIN RAISER EXERCISE VAYUSHAKTI 2026
Posted On: 11 FEB 2026 5:09PM by PIB Delhi
The Indian Air Force (IAF) will demonstrate it's prowess through Exercise Vayushakti-26 at Pokhran Air
to Ground Range, Jaisalmer on 27 February 2026.
As the first, fastest & fiercest responder, the Indian Air Force 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 IAF plays a crucial role in humanitarian assistance & disaster management by providing
rapid airlift and rescue & evacuation from conflict zones within the country as well as abroad.
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 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.***
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