The Indian Air Force (IAF) is preparing to host a pair of large-scale aerial combat exercises in western Rajasthan this month, drawing close scrutiny and a heightened military alert from neighboring Pakistan.
The upcoming maneuvers include the bilateral "Veer Guardian 26" with Japan, immediately followed by the massive multinational "Tarang Shakti 2026" exercise, both positioned at airbases strategically located near the international boundary.
Historic India-Japan Deployment
The joint India-Japan exercise, Veer Guardian 26, is scheduled to run from September 9 to September 21.This event marks a significant milestone in bilateral defense ties, as it is the first time Japanese fighter aircraft will operate directly from an Indian military facility.
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) is deploying a contingent of approximately 110 personnel alongside three Mitsubishi F-2A multirole fighter jets—an advanced aircraft developed jointly by Japan and the United States to fulfill ground-attack and air-to-air combat roles.
Multinational Tarang Shakti
Shortly after the bilateral drills conclude, the IAF will transition into Tarang Shakti 2026, running from September 26 through October 12.Recognized as one of India's largest multilateral aerial exercises, Tarang Shakti is designed to build tactical interoperability and share advanced combat strategies among multiple friendly foreign air forces.
Operations for both drills will be heavily concentrated around Jodhpur and surrounding strategic airbases in Rajasthan.
Extended Airspace Restrictions
To safely facilitate these expansive combat simulations, Indian aviation authorities have issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) restricting local airspace from September 21 to October 7.The designated exclusion zone covers a massive stretch of the western frontier, encompassing the Jaisalmer, Barmer, Phalodi, and Jodhpur sectors, while also blocking the airspace around the NAL-Bikaner base.
A NOTAM is a standard international protocol used to warn civilian and commercial pilots of military activities or potential hazards in a specific operational airspace.
Reaction Across the Border
The prolonged airspace blockade and the sheer scale of the back-to-back exercises have triggered alarm within Pakistan's security establishment.Pakistan's Ministry of Defence recently convened an emergency session to analyze the implications of the extended Indian NOTAM.
Consequently, Pakistani security forces have been placed on a heightened state of alert, maintaining strict surveillance and elevated readiness protocols along the Indo-Pakistani border while the regional exercises unfold.
