Overview: On February 27, 2026, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is conducting Exercise Vayushakti-26 at the Pokhran Air-to-Ground Range. This massive firepower demonstration highlights India’s operational readiness, showcasing indigenous platforms and advanced missile systems. It reinforces India’s regional deterrence and the success of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defense manufacturing.
Key Points:
- The exercise is guided by the IAF’s core operational values: “Achook, Abhedya aur Sateek” (Infallible, Impervious, and Precise).
- It features full-spectrum day, dusk, and night operations involving 77 fighter aircraft, 43 helicopters, and 8 transport aircraft.
- Prominently showcases the deployment of the S-400 Triumf air defense system, which recently demonstrated an impressive 380 km kill range.
- Highlights homegrown platforms including the Tejas Mk1A fighter, Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand, and Akash surface-to-air missiles.
- Validates the IAF’s rapid airlift capabilities, rescue operations, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) readiness.
Source Link: Read Full Article on TOI
- Q. Consider the following statements regarding ‘Exercise Vayushakti’:
- It is a biennial multilateral air exercise hosted by the Indian Air Force involving QUAD nations.
It is conducted at the Pokhran Air-to-Ground Range to demonstrate the IAF’s tactical and strategic strike capabilities.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 only
B) 2 only
C) Both 1 and 2
D) Neither 1 nor 2
