President Murmu witnesses IAF's Exercise Vayu Shakti-26 at Pokhran after a sortie in LCH Prachand
The Indian Air Force conducted Exercise Vayu Shakti-26 at the Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, on 27 February 2026, with President Droupadi Murmu as chief guest after she flew a sortie in the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter Prachand.
Summary
The Indian Air Force conducted Exercise Vayu Shakti-26 at the Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, on 27 February 2026, with President Droupadi Murmu as chief guest. For the first time the exercise followed a defined operational storyline, simulating a live combat theatre with offensive strikes, air defence, special forces missions and humanitarian assistance. Over 130 aircraft took part by day and night, including Rafale, Su-30 MKI, Mirage-2000, MiG-29, Jaguar, C-17, C-295, ALH Dhruv and LCH Prachand; air defence was shown with Akash and Spyder systems, and the ceremonial flypast carried the Operation Sindoor flag. Earlier that day the President flew a 25-minute sortie in the LCH Prachand at Air Force Station Jaisalmer, having flown in the Sukhoi-30 MKI in 2023 and the Rafale in 2025. An earlier edition, Vayu Shakti-24, was held at Pokhran on 17 February 2024 with the theme 'Lightning Strike from the Sky'.
Key facts
- Date and place
- 27 February 2026, Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer
- Chief guest
- President Droupadi Murmu
- First
- Exercise run on a defined operational storyline
- Aircraft
- Over 130, day and night
- Air defence shown
- Akash, Spyder; Army L-70 and M-777
- President's sortie
- LCH Prachand, ~25 minutes, AFS Jaisalmer (Su-30 MKI 2023, Rafale 2025)
- Earlier edition
- Vayu Shakti-24, 17 February 2024, 'Lightning Strike from the Sky'
Practice MCQs 4 questions
Where was the Indian Air Force's Exercise Vayu Shakti-26 held on 27 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer
Vayu Shakti-26 was held at the Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
In which indigenous helicopter did President Droupadi Murmu fly a sortie at Air Force Station Jaisalmer on 27 February 2026?
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Correct answer: A — LCH Prachand
The President flew a sortie of about 25 minutes in the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter Prachand.
Before the LCH Prachand sortie in 2026, President Murmu had flown sorties in which aircraft in 2023 and 2025 respectively?
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Correct answer: B — Sukhoi-30 MKI and Rafale
PIB notes she flew in the Sukhoi-30 MKI in 2023 and the Rafale in 2025.
Consider the following statements about Exercise Vayu Shakti: 1. Vayu Shakti-26 was, for the first time, executed along a defined operational storyline. 2. Vayu Shakti-24 was held at Pokhran in February 2024 with the theme 'Lightning Strike from the Sky'. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The IAF says Vayu Shakti-26 used an operational storyline for the first time; Vayu Shakti-24 was held at Pokhran on 17 February 2024 with the theme 'Lightning Strike from the Sky'.