The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted a major exercise Vayu Shakti-24 in Rajasthan
Vayu Shakti-24 in Rajasthan: IAF’s Vayu Shakti-24 exercise, set to take place in Rajasthan on February 17, will demonstrate the Indian Air Force’s offensive and defensive capabilities during both day and night operations. With over 120 aircraft participating, including 77 fighter jets like Rafales, Mirage-2000s, Sukhoi-30 MKIs, and Tejas, along with helicopters, UAVs, and missile systems, the exercise will showcase precision strikes on simulated targets such as ammunition dumps and command posts. The IAF’s integrated air command and control system (IACCS) will coordinate this complex exercise across multiple bases. Alongside Vayu Shakti-24, the IAF regularly participates in various exercises like Gaganshakti, Cope India, and Garuda, which focus on enhancing interoperability, operational synergy, and knowledge exchange with partner air forces such as the United States Air Force, French Air Force, and Oman’s Royal Air Force. These exercises play a crucial role in strengthening the IAF’s capabilities and preparedness for various operational scenarios.
Vayu Shakti-24 in Rajasthan
Important Exercises Involving Indian Air Force
- Gaganshakti: This massive pan-India exercise involves all IAF assets and aims to test network-centric warfare, combat power, and response times. It is an internal exercise focused on enhancing the IAF’s capabilities in network-centric warfare, combat power projection, and rapid response to various operational scenarios across India.
- Vayu Shakti: Vayu Shakti is a firepower demonstration event held at the Pokhran ranges, showcasing the precision and strike capabilities of IAF aircraft and equipment. It is another internal exercise aimed at displaying the IAF’s firepower and precision strike capabilities to both domestic and international audiences.
- Cope India: This bilateral air exercise is conducted with the United States Air Force to enhance interoperability and knowledge exchange between the two air forces. The exercise focuses on interoperability, tactical coordination, and sharing best practices between the Indian Air Force and the United States Air Force.
- Garuda: Garuda is a bilateral exercise conducted with the French Air Force in realistic operational scenarios to share best practices and build operational synergy between the two air forces. The exercise emphasizes operational cooperation, joint training, and the exchange of operational tactics.
- Eastern Bridge: This bilateral combat drill involves a mutual exchange of information and operational knowledge with Oman’s Royal Air Force. The exercise focuses on enhancing operational synergy and sharing expertise in various operational domains between the Indian Air Force and Oman’s Royal Air Force.
- Desert Eagle II: Desert Eagle II is a bilateral operational exercise conducted with the United Arab Emirates Air Force, involving a diverse range of advanced fighter jets and support elements. The exercise focuses on advanced combat training, operational tactics, and joint operational planning between the two air forces.
- Indradhanush: This bilateral training activity involves knowledge sharing across all spheres of air force operations with the British Royal Air Force. The exercise emphasizes sharing operational tactics, best practices, and expertise in various operational domains between the Indian Air Force and the British Royal Air Force.
- Sindex: Sindex is a bilateral training engagement with the Singapore Air Force, including complex combat scenarios and large-force employment exercises. The exercise focuses on enhancing operational capabilities, combat scenarios, and large-force employment between the Indian Air Force and the Singapore Air Force.
- Ekuverin: Ekuverin is a bilateral training interaction with the Maldives National Defence Force, aimed at enhancing operational synergy and joint training between the two air forces. The exercise focuses on joint training, operational cooperation, and mutual learning between the Indian Air Force and the Maldives National Defence Force.
- Udarashakti: This joint military drill involves assets from all three services of the Indian Armed Forces, aimed at enhancing operational synergy and joint operational planning internally. The exercise focuses on joint operational planning, coordination, and integration among the Indian Air Force, Indian Army, and Indian Navy.
| Exercise Name | Description | Partners | Key Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gaganshakti | Massive pan-India exercise involving all IAF assets to test network-centric warfare, combat power, and response times. | IAF internal | Network-centric warfare, combat power, response times |
| Vayu Shakti | Firepower demonstration event showcasing precision and strike capabilities of IAF aircraft and equipment. | IAF internal | Firepower demonstration, precision strikes |
| Cope India | Bilateral air exercise with the United States Air Force to enhance interoperability and knowledge exchange. | United States Air Force | Interoperability, knowledge exchange |
| Garuda | Bilateral exercise with the French Air Force in realistic operational scenarios to share best practices and build operational synergy. | French Air Force | Operational synergy, best practices exchange |
| Eastern Bridge | Bilateral combat drill with Oman’s Royal Air Force to enhance operational synergy through mutual exchange of information and operational knowledge. | Oman’s Royal Air Force | Operational synergy, information exchange |
| Desert Eagle II | Bilateral operational exercise with the United Arab Emirates Air Force involving a diverse range of advanced fighter jets and support elements. | United Arab Emirates Air Force | Advanced combat training, operational tactics |
| Indradhanush | Bilateral training activity with the British Royal Air Force for knowledge sharing across all spheres of air force operations. | British Royal Air Force | Knowledge sharing, operational tactics |
| Sindex | Bilateral training engagement with the Singapore Air Force including complex combat scenarios and large force employment exercises. | Singapore Air Force | Combat scenarios, large force employment |
| Ekuverin | Bilateral training interaction with the Maldives National Defence Force for operational synergy and joint training. | Maldives National Defence Force | Operational synergy, joint training |
| Udarashakti | Joint military drill including assets from all three services of the Indian Armed Forces for operational synergy and joint operational planning. | Indian Armed Forces internal | Joint operational planning, operational synergy |
Where do Vayu Shakti-24 is conducted?
Vayu Shakti-24 is conducted in Rajesthan India.
What is Gaganshakti?
Gaganshakti is a massive pan-India exercise conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) involving all its assets. It aims to test network-centric warfare, combat power, and response times.
What is the purpose of Vayu Shakti?
Vayu Shakti is a firepower demonstration event organized by the IAF to showcase the precision and strike capabilities of its aircraft and equipment
