The Indian Air Force today demonstrated its combat prowess and firepower capabilities during Exercise ‘Vayu Shakti’ at the Pokhran Field Firing Range in western Rajasthan. The large-scale day-to-night exercise was conducted in the Thar desert near the India-Pakistan border in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu.
The demonstration presented simulated missions reflecting operations undertaken during Operation Sindoor. It began with a detailed briefing, followed by precision strikes on targets spread across a three-kilometre area. Simulated enemy assets included a runway, radar sites, bunkers, tanks and armoured convoys, ammunition depots, a communication centre and terror camps.
“Frontline fighter aircraft, including Sukhoi-30, Jaguar and Mirage jets, carried out coordinated attacks, replicating synchronised strike patterns. A Sukhoi aircraft struck a simulated terror camp, while suppression and destruction of enemy air defence systems were demonstrated to neutralise hostile capabilities. Apache attack helicopters and Mi-17 V5 helicopters supported the operations, highlighting multi-platform integration. The Akash surface-to-air missile system was also fired as part of the air defence demonstration. The night phase showcased precision strikes in low-visibility conditions. Su-30 and Jaguar aircraft, along with Advanced Light Helicopter Rudra, engaged tank clusters, bunker positions and logistics nodes. Integrated combat operations between fighters and helicopters underlined the IAF’s operational preparedness and calibrated response capability.
