Tejas, Rafale, Sukhoi-30MKI, Jaguar to take part in IAF’s Exercise Vayushakti-26, see photo

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will carry out Exercise Vayushakti-26 at the Pokhran Air-to-Ground Range in Jaisalmer on February 27, 2026, to demonstrate its operational capabilities. The drill aims to showcase air power, including long-range precision strikes, multi-domain operations, and indigenous platforms, highlighting the success of Operation Sindoor as part of the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

The IAF said the exercise will underline its role as the first responder in conflict scenarios and its ability to rapidly dominate operational environments, influencing outcomes through decisive air operations. Guided by the core values “Achook, Abhedya aur Sateek,” the exercise aims to reassure the nation by reaffirming the IAF’s position as a key pillar of India’s national security architecture.

Exercise Vayushakti-26: Aircraft, platforms, and weapons systems

• Fighter aircraft: Tejas, Rafale, Jaguar, Mirage 2000, Sukhoi-30MKI, MiG-29, Hawk
  
  
• Transport aircraft: C-130J, C-295, C-17
  
  
• Helicopters: Chetak, ALH Mk-IV, Mi-17 IV, LCH, Apache, Chinook
  
  
• Remotely piloted aircraft
  
  
• Weapons systems: Short-range loitering munitions, Akash and SpyDer surface-to-air missiles, counter-unmanned aerial systems
  
  
• Operations: Missions in day, dusk, and night
  
  
• Deployment scale: 77 fighter aircraft, 43 helicopters, 8 transport aircraft, 277 weapons, and 12,000 kg of explosives
  

Full spectrum operations and humanitarian support

Exercise Vayushakti-26 will also highlight the IAF’s role in humanitarian assistance and disaster response, including rapid airlift, rescue, and evacuation operations in India and overseas.

IAF VCAM on Exercise Vayushakti-26

Air Force Vice Chief Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor said the drill would demonstrate the IAF’s capability to win future conflicts, its deterrence strength, and long-range targeting superiority. Exercise Vayushakti-26 is expected to test tactical and strategic capabilities, reinforce India’s regional deterrence posture, and demonstrate the operational and technological strengths of the IAF’s personnel and platforms.