Pokhran Desert Witnesses High-Intensity Army and Air Force Exercises

The Pokhran Desert in Rajasthan has become the focal point of heightened military activity this week as the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force conducted two major but separate combat exercises, showcasing their preparedness for modern, high-intensity warfare.

On February 24 , the Army carried out Exercise Agni Varsha , a large-scale wargame organised by its Southern Command. The exercise demonstrated the Army’s operational readiness through combined arms operations, precision long-range firepower and network-enabled command and control in a realistic desert combat environment. It validated coordinated manoeuvres by mechanised forces operating seamlessly across multiple domains.

The Integrated Manoeuvre Force deployed T-90 main battle tanks, infantry combat vehicles, K-9 Vajra self-propelled howitzers, Sharang and Bofors artillery systems, rocket platforms, Apache attack helicopters , and a wide range of surveillance and strike drones. Extensive use of unmanned aerial systems and counter-drone technologies underscored the Army’s emphasis on technology infusion and indigenisation. Foreign defence journalists from 25 countries witnessed the exercise.

Separately, on the same day, the Air Force conducted a full-dress rehearsal of Exercise Vayu Shakti–2026 at the Pokhran firing range. The rehearsal featured Rafale, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, HAL Tejas and Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft carrying out precision strikes, along with Apache and Chinook helicopters executing low-altitude firing, casualty evacuation and logistical missions. The rehearsal was aimed at fine-tuning coordination, timing and safety ahead of the main display.

Defence officials have clarified that Exercise Agni Varsha and Exercise Vayu Shakti–2026 are independent service-level exercises , despite being held at the same location and around the same time.

The main event of Vayu Shakti–2026 is scheduled for February 27 , when the Air Force will stage its principal combat demonstration in the presence of the President and the Defence Minister, reinforcing India’s focus on integrated and high-intensity combat readiness.