New Delhi is buzzing with anticipation as the Indian Air Force prepares to unleash its full might near the Pakistan border. On February 27, the IAF will conduct its largest aerial drill of the year, Vayu Shakti 2026, echoing the intensity of Operation Sindoor. Stationed at Jaisalmer, this exercise will showcase the seamless integration of Western and South Western Commands’ assets.
Over 100 aircraft are set to roar into action, including Rafale, Sukhoi-30, Tejas, MiG-29, Jaguar, Mirage-2000, and Hawk jets. For the first time, the retired MiG-21s will be absent, marking a new era. Attack helicopters like Prachand will fire rockets, while fixed-wing transports such as C-130J and C-295 execute night assaults and rapid commando insertions.
The entire operation will be orchestrated through the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), creating a simulated war scenario. Radars across all ranges will feed real-time data, enabling precise threat neutralization, much like during Operation Sindoor when every Pakistani jet, missile, and drone was tracked relentlessly.
Army assets like the Akash missile system and L-70 guns bolster the air defense layers, including anti-aircraft guns and anti-drone measures. Pakistan has been notified via NOTAM, but the IAF remains vigilant with full defensive readiness. VIPs and diplomats from allied nations are invited, underscoring the exercise’s strategic showcase.
This drill not only hones combat readiness but also sends a clear message of deterrence. As fighter jets thunder across the skies, India’s aerial supremacy will be on full display, reinforcing national security in a volatile region.