NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully completed the full dress rehearsal for the upcoming Vayushakti-26 exercise at Pokhran, officials confirmed on Thursday, marking a key milestone in validating all operational parameters ahead of the main demonstration.In a post on X, the IAF said, “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 showcased the launch of Russian S-400 air defence missiles in action. The S-400 systems shot 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 in the “longest kill ever achieved” at a distance of 314 km during Operation Sindoor.The S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile system boasts an impressive range of 380 km 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. In addition, 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.A wide range of aircraft and helicopters will participate, including India’s fighter jets Tejas, Rafale, Jaguar, Mirage-2000, Sukhoi-30MKI, MiG-29, and Hawk, as well as transport planes like C-130J, C-295, and C-17. Helicopters including Chetak, ALH MK-IV, Mi-17 IV, LCH, Apache, and Chinook will also take part, along with Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). Advanced weapons such as Short Range Loitering Munitions (SRLM), Akash, SpyDer, and Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS) will be used in day, dusk, and night missions to show the IAF’s flexibility and readiness.The exercise will also reaffirm the success of Operation Sindoor and demonstrate the IAF’s strength in controlling airspace, targeting threats from long distances, operating across multiple areas, and using indigenous platforms, in line with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.Guided by the core values of “Achook, Abhedya aur Sateek,” the exercise aims to reassure IAF’s readiness to safeguard sovereignty, protect national interests, and maintain operational superiority in an evolving security landscape.
