Chetak helicopters conduct a flypast during Exercise Vayushakti | Photo: Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted Exercise Vayushakti-26 at the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer on February 27, 2026. The exercise involved day and night operations and included more than 130 aircraft.
President Droupadi Murmu attended the firepower demonstration as Chief Guest. She was accompanied by Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Culture and Tourism Minister GS Shekhawat, Chief Information Commissioner Raj Kumar Goyal, Cabinet Secretary Dr TV Somanathan, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, senior military officers, former Air Chiefs, defence attaches, and other officials. Earlier in the day, the President undertook a sortie in the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand.
According to the IAF, the exercise was conducted along a defined operational storyline, simulating a live combat theatre. It integrated offensive air strikes, air defence operations, special forces missions, and humanitarian assistance tasks.
The event began with the National Song and National Anthem, followed by a ceremonial flypast by Chetak helicopters carrying the National Flag, Air Force Ensign, and Operation Sindoor Flag. A Rafale fighter aircraft performed a sonic boom before the main flying display.
An Indian Air Force Boeing CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopter carries a BAE Systems M777 lightweight howitzer at Exercise Vayushakti | Photo: Indian Air Force
Participating aircraft included Rafale, Su-30 MKI, Mirage-2000, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Mi-17, C-130J, C-295, C-17, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv, and LCH Prachand. Fighter aircraft carried out precision strikes on simulated targets using air-to-ground weapons, including precision-guided munitions and long-range strike systems.
Air defence operations featured coordinated engagements between airborne platforms and ground-based systems such as Akash and Spyder missile systems, supported by Army air defence assets including L-70 and M-777 systems.
During the evening phase, Garud Special Forces and Para SF elements were inserted by Mi-17 helicopters for simulated urban intervention and hostage rescue missions. C-130 and C-295 aircraft conducted assault landings and evacuation operations from an Advanced Landing Ground.
The night phase included integrated air defence and air-landed operations, followed by precision strikes by multiple fighter aircraft. The exercise concluded with a C-17 flypast and a drone display.
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