IAF Validates Combat Readiness in Full Dress Rehearsal Ahead of Vayushakti-26 at Pokhran

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has completed the Full Dress Rehearsal for the upcoming Vayushakti-26 exercise at Pokhran, successfully validating all operational parameters ahead of the main demonstration scheduled for February 27 at the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer, close to the India–Pakistan border in Rajasthan.

In a post on X, IAF wrote, "Indian Air Force: Infallible, Impervious and Precise 1 day to go. The Indian Air Force has successfully validated all operational parameters during the Full Dress Rehearsal for #Vayushakti26 at Pokhran, all targets effectively neutralised. All Air Warriors now stand fully mission-ready for the decisive demonstration on 27 February, Pokhran, Jaisalmer."

The exercise, regarded as the IAF’s largest firepower demonstration, will showcase full-spectrum operations involving fighter, transport, and helicopter platforms executing day, dusk, and night missions to demonstrate versatility and readiness.

President Droupadi Murmu, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, will attend the exercise as part of her two-day visit to Jaisalmer from February 26 to 27.

According to the official programme, the President will fly in the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) ‘Prachand’ and conduct an aerial survey of the exercise area, marking the first time she will serve as co-pilot in a combat helicopter over the border airspace in Jaisalmer.

How Will President Droupadi Murmu Participate in Vayushakti-26 at Pokhran?

She will later interact with Air Force personnel at the Air Force Station and in the evening reach the Pokhran range for the formal commencement of the exercise.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma will also be present during the event. Security has been tightened in Jaisalmer, and the stretch from Chandhan to Pokhran has been declared a no-fly zone for the duration of the exercise.

President Murmu has previously flown in frontline fighter aircraft. On October 29, 2025, she flew in a Rafale aircraft of the Golden Arrows squadron at Ambala Air Base, becoming the first President to fly in both the Sukhoi-30 MKI and Rafale aircraft.

The Rafale sortie was conducted at an altitude of around 15,000 feet and at a speed of approximately 700 km per hour.

Earlier, on April 8, 2023, she flew in a Sukhoi-30 MKI from Tezpur air base in Assam in a sortie that lasted about 30 minutes, becoming the second woman President to fly in a Sukhoi after former President Pratibha Patil.

Which Aircraft and Weapon Systems Will Be Showcased in Vayushakti-26?

Platforms slated for participation include Tejas, Rafale, Jaguar, Mirage-2000, Sukhoi-30MKI, MiG-29, Hawk, C-130J, C-295, C-17, Chetak, ALH MK-IV, Mi-17 IV, LCH, Apache, Chinook, and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), alongside advanced weapon systems such as Short Range Loitering Munitions (SRLM), Akash, SpyDer, and Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS).

Officials said the scale of participation, which includes 77 fighter aircraft and 43 helicopters, reflects the Air Force’s ability to conduct simultaneous operations across multiple fronts.

Around 12,000 kilograms of ammunition will be used during the exercise, according to Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor.

The C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft will also take part, carrying out special operations drills including the deployment of Garud Commandos.

The exercise will feature live-fire demonstrations and precision targeting drills.

Guided by the core values of "Achook, Abhedya aur Sateek," the exercise will highlight the IAF’s capability to rapidly punish the enemy, dominate the operational environment from the outset, and decisively influence the course of operations by transforming tactical actions into strategic outcomes.

It will also provide glimpses of the IAF’s role in humanitarian assistance and disaster management through rapid airlift, rescue, and evacuation from conflict zones within the country as well as abroad.

Vayushakti-26 will further highlight the success of Operation Sindoor and underline the IAF’s primacy in airspace dominance, long-range precision targeting, and multi-domain operations, with a focus on indigenous capability under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Officials said the demonstration will reaffirm the operational readiness of India-developed aircraft and weapon systems and strengthen India’s deterrence posture in the region while inspiring confidence among citizens.

(With inputs from ANI)