India is going to hold large-scale Indian Air Force (IAF) drills near the border with China and across the northeastern part of the country. This will make the military much more ready and able to carry out operations. The official name for the drills is “Gajraj.” They will happen on six specific days: November 6 and 20, December 4 and 18, and January 1 and 15, 2026. India is making significant efforts to keep its northeastern borders safe. These borders are sensitive because they border China, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. This series of big air drills shows that.
The air drills will use advanced fighter jets such as the Rafale and Sukhoi-30, as well as attack helicopters such as the Prachand. They will perform many tasks, including air combat, intelligence gathering, airspace protection, and logistics support at several forward airbases. The drills are meant to test how well the IAF can adapt quickly, communicate clearly, and work with other regional commands, especially when flying at high altitude and over rough terrain.
Indian officials will send out Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) to keep civilian air traffic to a minimum during these exercises. This is to keep everyone safe and keep the operations secret. These NOTAMs keep civil aviation out of some airspace for a short time so that the IAF can do what it wants during the drills.
It’s also interesting that these drills are happening at the same time as “Exercise Trishul,” a big 12-day tri-service (Army, Navy, Air Force) drill along India’s western border with Pakistan. India is showing off its military strength on two critical fronts simultaneously, even as security issues persist in the region.
Overall, the air drills in the northeast show that India is ready for anything and is the region’s strongest air power in a very sensitive political environment. They send a clear message of deterrence and defense capability at a time when tensions are rising along the India-China border. They also show off their modernized air power and how well the different branches of the military can work together. This is part of India’s bigger plan to modernize its military and be ready for action. It shows how vital the northeast corridor is as a gateway to the Indo-Pacific and how important it is to monitor the air and be prepared to act quickly if new threats emerge.