Indian Air Force to conduct major exercise in Rajasthan from July 23 to 25, NOTAM issued

New Delhi: The Indian Air Force is set to carry out a major military exercise in Rajasthan, covering areas from Barmer to Jodhpur, between July 23 and July 25. The exercise will focus on enhancing combat preparedness in the strategically vital desert terrain. This region has previously witnessed the highest number of Pakistani drone and missile intrusions during aerial conflicts between India and Pakistan. However, the Indian Air Force successfully intercepted and neutralised these threats at the time. Keeping the upcoming exercise in mind, a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) has been issued for the airspace in the region.

Rafale and Sukhoi jets to take part

The exercise will include frontline combat aircraft such as Rafale, Sukhoi-30, and Jaguar, along with other aircraft from the IAF fleet. The Indian Air Force is expected to carry out intensive drills along the border using Rafale and Mirage 2000 fighter jets. Officials have described this as a pre-planned and routine training operation aimed at simulating various war scenarios, including both aerial and ground-based targets. The exercise will also involve complex night-time operations.

What is NOTAM?

A NOTAM is issued when a specific airspace needs to be cleared of civilian air traffic. Similar notices were issued during previous tensions with Pakistan to ensure that no passenger aircraft would be caught in the middle of potential aerial operations. It helps prevent civilian casualties by keeping commercial aircraft away from zones of military activity.

Why is a NOTAM issued?

Once a NOTAM is issued, no civilian aircraft is permitted to fly within the designated airspace. This allows Air Force jets, missiles, and drones to operate freely without the risk of mid-air collisions. The absence of civilian flights also ensures the safety of non-combatants. For instance, during the recent Israeli strikes on Iran, multiple international airlines rapidly altered their flight routes to avoid potential encounters with Israeli missiles.