Indian Air Force Successfully Conducts Full Dress Rehearsal for Vayushakti-26 at Pokhran
In a significant development, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully completed the full dress rehearsal for the upcoming Vayushakti-26 exercise at Pokhran, officials confirmed on Thursday. This rehearsal marks a crucial milestone in validating all operational parameters ahead of the main demonstration scheduled for February 27 at Pokhran in Jaisalmer.
IAF Declares Mission Readiness After Successful Rehearsal
In a post on social media platform X, the IAF stated, "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 IAF video released during the rehearsal showcased the launch of Russian S-400 air defence missiles in action. The S-400 systems demonstrated their capability by shooting down at least five high-tech Pakistani fighters in the F-16 and JF-17-class in the air, as well as an ELINT (electronic intelligence) or AEW&C (airborne early warning and control) aircraft. This achievement was described as the "longest kill ever achieved" at a distance of 314 kilometers during Operation Sindoor.
S-400 Missile System Deployment and Capabilities
The S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile system boasts an impressive range of 380 kilometers and has been deployed in three operational squads under a Rs 40,000 crore deal with Russia signed in October 2018. Originally planned for five squads, the deployment of the remaining two squads has been delayed to 2026–27 due to disruptions caused by the Russia–Ukraine conflict.
The exercise aims to demonstrate the force's ability to swiftly neutralise threats, dominate the operational environment, and translate tactical actions into strategic outcomes. Additionally, Vayushakti-26 will showcase the IAF's role in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, including rapid airlift, rescue, and evacuation operations within India and abroad.
Comprehensive Aircraft and Weapon Systems Participation
A wide range of aircraft and helicopters will participate in the exercise, demonstrating the IAF's diverse capabilities:
- Fighter Jets: Tejas, Rafale, Jaguar, Mirage-2000, Sukhoi-30MKI, MiG-29, and Hawk
- Transport Planes: C-130J, C-295, and C-17
- Helicopters: Chetak, ALH MK-IV, Mi-17 IV, LCH, Apache, and Chinook
- Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) will also take part in the demonstration
Advanced weapons systems will be deployed during day, dusk, and night missions to showcase the IAF's flexibility and readiness. These include:
- Short Range Loitering Munitions (SRLM)
- Akash missile systems
- SpyDer air defence systems
- Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS)
Strategic Objectives and National Security Vision
The exercise will reaffirm the success of Operation Sindoor and demonstrate the IAF's strength in multiple critical areas:
- Controlling airspace effectively
- Targeting threats from long distances
- Operating across multiple geographical areas simultaneously
- Utilizing indigenous platforms in line with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat
Guided by the core values of "Achook, Abhedya aur Sateek" (Infallible, Impervious and Precise), the exercise aims to reassure the nation of IAF's readiness to safeguard sovereignty, protect national interests, and maintain operational superiority in an evolving security landscape. The comprehensive demonstration will highlight how tactical military actions can translate into significant strategic outcomes for national security.
