IAF to Showcase Full Spectrum Air Power at Vayushakti-26 on February 27
A wide range of Indian Air Force platforms—from frontline fighters to heavy transport aircraft and attack helicopters—will take part in Exercise Vayushakti-26 at the Pokhran Air-to-Ground Range in Jaisalmer on February 27, 2026.
Fighter aircraft including Tejas, Rafale, Jaguar, Mirage-2000, Sukhoi-30MKI, MiG-29 and Hawk will execute offensive and defensive missions during the demonstration. Transport aircraft such as the C-130J, C-295 and C-17 will showcase heavy-lift and tactical mobility capabilities, while helicopters including the Chetak, ALH Mk-IV, Mi-17 IV, Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), Apache and Chinook will undertake varied operational tasks. Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) will also be part of the exercise.
Exercise Vayushakti-26, the IAF’s flagship firepower demonstration, is expected to highlight the force’s operational readiness and its ability to establish air dominance, conduct precision strikes and respond swiftly to emerging threats. Officials said the exercise will reflect the Air Force’s capacity to convert tactical engagements into decisive strategic outcomes.
The demonstration will feature advanced weapon systems such as Short Range Loitering Munitions (SRLM), Akash surface-to-air missiles, SpyDer air defense systems and Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS), with operations conducted during day, dusk and night conditions.
Apart from combat capabilities, the exercise will also underline the IAF’s role in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), including rapid airlift, rescue and evacuation missions within India and abroad.
Vayushakti-26 will additionally highlight operational experience gained from Operation Sindoor and showcase indigenous platforms developed under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Organised around the IAF’s core values of “Achook, Abhedya aur Sateek,” the exercise aims to reaffirm the Air Force’s role as a central pillar of India’s national security framework.
