IAF to conduct high-intensity exercises near China border in November

The Indian Air Force has announced a major high-intensity aerial exercise scheduled for mid-November in Uttarakhand, in close proximity to the Line of Actual Control with China. The operation, set to run from November 13 to 21, will involve multiple frontline fighter aircraft including Rafale, Sukhoi, Mirage and Tejas jets in coordinated manoeuvres across the sensitive border region.

The exercise is designed to evaluate the operational performance of aircraft at high altitude and challenging terrain, key factors in India's strategic posture along the northern frontier. The IAF has issued Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) restricting airspace access throughout the exercise period to ensure operational safety and security during the intensive drills.

This exercise comes as part of the IAF's ongoing efforts to maintain enhanced combat preparedness along the border. The deployment of India's diverse fighter jet fleet—ranging from the indigenous Tejas to advanced foreign acquisitions like the Rafale—underscores the service's multi-platform approach to aerial defence capabilities in mountainous terrain.

The timing and scale of the exercise reflect the IAF's commitment to sustaining operational readiness in strategically critical regions, particularly following ongoing border tensions with China. Such high-intensity drills serve to validate tactical procedures, inter-aircraft coordination, and pilot proficiency in demanding high-altitude conditions typical of the Himalayan region.