This exercise is led by the South Western Air Command and will take place across parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Areas between Barmer and Jodhpur will see most of the action. These areas lie close to Pakistan.

The aim of this high-intensity drill is to boost India’s combat readiness along the western front. According to officials, this is part of routine operational training but carries added significance due to recent tensions.

The Indian Air Force will deploy several of its top aircraft, including the Rafale, Mirage 2000, and Sukhoi-30 fighter jets. Along with these, air defence systems and other support aircraft will also take part. A key feature of the exercise will be night operations, testing India’s capability to strike around the clock.

The purpose of the NOTAM is to clear the skies for intense aerial activity and ensure civilian flights do not come into danger.

Pakistan Also Issued NOTAM

Interestingly, Pakistan has also issued NOTAMs for its own airspace. Pakistan’s NOTAMs cover the central region until July 23 and the southern zone for July 22–23. This timing has raised speculation about whether Pakistan’s military is responding to India’s move with drills of its own.

This IAF exercise comes at a crucial time. It follows Operation Sindoor — India’s military strike on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Operation Sindoor was carried out in response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. That attack killed 26 people, most of them tourists, and was blamed on Pakistan-backed terrorists.

India’s swift retaliation through Operation Sindoor marked a shift in its national security strategy. Experts have called it a “new normal” in India’s response to cross-border terrorism.

With the current exercise, the IAF is sending a clear message — India is ready for any threat and can act quickly and powerfully. The drill is expected to improve coordination among IAF units and display India’s strength in air warfare.