Tensions simmer along the western frontier as the Indian Air Force readies Vayu Shakti 2026, its grandest airpower demonstration slated for February 27 in Jaisalmer. Mirroring Operation Sindoor’s playbook, the exercise rallies over 100 platforms from elite commands, underscoring unwavering preparedness.
The lineup dazzles: Rafale multirole fighters, Sukhoi heavyweights, homegrown Tejas, agile MiG-29s, veteran Jaguars and Mirages, plus Hawks. MiG-21s bow out, while Prachand helos deliver punishing strikes. Transports like C-130J execute daring commando drops from austere strips, C-295 pioneers nocturnal assaults, all shielded by rotorcraft guardians including Chinooks and ALHs.
At the heart, IACCS orchestrates a virtual battlefield, integrating radar feeds for total airspace mastery. Enhanced by Army’s Akash SAMs, L-70 artillery, anti-drone tech, and gun batteries, it forms an impregnable shield, evoking Sindoor’s unblinking surveillance.
NOTAM notifies Pakistan, yet full-spectrum defenses activate, monitoring for incursions. The event draws elite viewers—VVIPs and foreign diplomats—positioning it as a global statement of prowess.
Vayu Shakti 2026 is more than drills; it’s a strategic flex, honing edges for real-world exigencies and projecting India’s aerial might to deter adventurism.