India's C-295 Tactical Airlifter Makes Debut at IAF's Vayu Shakti 2026 Exercise
The Indian Air Force's new C-295 tactical transport aircraft made its operational debut at the 'Vayu Shakti-2026' exercise held at the Pokharan field firing range. This medium-lift aircraft performed specialised assault landings, demonstrating its capabilities alongside established platforms like the US-made C-130J Super Hercules and C-17 Globemaster.
Historic Night Assault Landing Demonstration
For the first time, a C-295 aircraft executed a night assault landing drill, showcasing its ability to land on temporary or unpaved runways in complete darkness. This aircraft can carry up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers, making it a versatile asset for rapid deployment operations.
The C-295 features a payload capacity of 9.25 tonnes and an endurance of 11 hours, positioning it as a modern replacement for the IAF's aging Avro-748 fleet. It will provide enhanced tactical airlift capabilities for transporting troops, cargo, and conducting medical evacuation missions.
Indigenous Manufacturing and Strategic Acquisition
India is currently manufacturing 40 Airbus C-295 aircraft at the Tata aircraft complex in Vadodara, following the import of 16 planes directly from Airbus facilities. The first 'Made in India' C-295 unit is scheduled to roll out by September this year.
This manufacturing initiative stems from a Rs 21,935 crore deal signed with Airbus Defence and Space in September 2021, through which the IAF decided to acquire 56 C-295 aircraft to modernize its transport fleet.
Vayu Shakti 2026: A Display of Air Power and Precision
The Vayu Shakti exercise, witnessed by President Droupadi Murmu, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, and other senior officials, featured over 130 aircraft including Rafale and Su-30MKI fighters. The event also showcased indigenous defence platforms along the border with Pakistan.
The exercise demonstrated the IAF's ability to operate in a networked environment, highlighting the firepower and accuracy of its air and surface-based weapon systems along with special forces capabilities.
Simulated targets during the exercise included an enemy runway, petroleum storage facilities, bunkers, radar sites, tank and armoured convoys, communication centers, terror camps, ammunition storage dumps, hangars, and command-and-control centers.
Operation Sindoor and the IAF's New Motto
Wing Commander and IAF PRO Jaideep Singh explained that Vayu Shakti 2026 offered "a small glimpse of the Air Force's motto, which now is 'Achook, Abhedya, aur Sateek' (Unerring, Impenetrable, and Precise)." Through this exercise, the IAF demonstrated how it executed Operation Sindoor following the Pahalgam attack where civilians were killed.
"We took action, dominated the escalation ladder and forced the enemy to come to the negotiating table through our actions and precise targeting," Singh stated.
S-400 Missile System Revealed in Operational Deployment
Hours before the exercise, the IAF released a video showcasing the Sudarshan S-400 long-range air defence missile system in operational deployment. This offered a rare glimpse into one of India's most advanced and closely guarded military assets that played a key role in Operation Sindoor.
The video caption referenced the historic achievement of hitting a target approximately 314 kilometers deep inside Pakistani territory last May. Overlaid text in the IAF video read: "Longest-ever kill recorded in military history" and "Enemy may be out of sight but never out of reach."
The C-295 aircraft, along with other transport platforms, highlighted the IAF's logistical reach and ability to execute rapid troop deployment and short-runway operations during the comprehensive Vayu Shakti 2026 demonstration.
