Indian Armed Forces conduct simultaneous military exercises including Vajra Prahar, Dharma Guardian, Kalari Leap, and Vayu Shakti in February 2026

Key facts

• The 16th edition of Exercise Vajra Prahar commenced on 24 February at the Special Forces Training School in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh, involving 45 Indian Special Forces and 12 United States (US) Army Green Berets.
• The 7th edition of Exercise Dharma Guardian 2026 is being held between the Indian Army and the Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF) at the Foreign Training Node in Chaubattia, Uttarakhand, until 9 March.
• Exercise Kalari Leap, a joint maritime drill involving the Indian Air Force (IAF) Southern Air Command, Armed Forces Special Operations Division (AFSOD), and Indian Coast Guard (ICG), was conducted across the Lakshadweep and Minicoy archipelago.
• Platforms deployed in Exercise Kalari Leap included An-32 transport aircraft, Mi-17V5 helicopters, Su-30MKI fighter jets, ICG ships, Gemini boats, and Dornier 228 aircraft.
• The IAF is scheduled to conduct its annual firepower demonstration, Exercise Vayu Shakti, on 27 February at the Pokhran range in Rajasthan.
• President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to attend Exercise Vayu Shakti and fly in the indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand.