Indian Air Force Launches Major Combat Readiness Drills Near Pakistan Border in Rajasthan
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has initiated a significant operational exercise across southern Rajasthan’s border-adjacent districts of Jodhpur, Barmer, and Jaisalmer, following a recent Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) that reserves the airspace from March 5 to March 12, 2026. Civilian and commercial flights in the designated zone remain prohibited during this window to facilitate uninterrupted military activities.
The drills emphasize maintaining peak combat readiness amid persistent regional tensions, featuring intensive air combat training, air-to-ground strikes, fighter jet operations, helicopter and drone integration, live-fire demonstrations, precision-guided munitions employment, and multi-platform coordination. Aircraft involved include frontline assets such as Rafale, Sukhoi-30MKI, Tejas light combat aircraft, and supporting rotary-wing and unmanned systems.
The exercise covers an extensive 200–300 km stretch along Rajasthan’s southern border belt, with key activities occurring 20–70 km from Pakistani territories including Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur, and southern Sindh districts. This positioning places the maneuvers in close proximity to the international border, prompting heightened monitoring from across the frontier, where reports indicate Pakistan has repositioned additional surveillance and response assets.
Aviation stakeholders have been advised to reroute flights accordingly to prevent any operational disruptions. While described as standard training, the timing and scale align with periodic border-area exercises amid ongoing strategic vigilance. No official comments link the drills to specific immediate threats, but they reinforce India’s commitment to robust aerial deterrence in the region.
