Kharga Shakti 2026: Western Command tests new battlefield tactics

In its first major combat drill post-Operation Sindoor, Exercise Kharga Shakti – 2026, the Western Command’s strike corps is validating operational concepts and battlefield procedures that are being fine-tuned after incorporating lessons drawn from the five-day India-Pakistan military engagement last year.

The brief, but intense confrontation in May 2025, marked by a networked operational environment, long-distance precision strikes and the employment of new-age platforms such as unmanned-aerial systems, stand-off weapons and cruise missiles, has been a defining point for contemporary warfare in the sub-continent.

Exercise Kharga Shakti is a biennial event to evaluate the operational capabilities of the strike corps in a simulated battlefield and test synchronised firepower and high-tempo manoeuvres by integrating all the infantry, mechanised forces, artillery, support and logistics elements and aerial assets.

“Operation Sindoor witnessed a perceptible shift on ground with the armed forces carrying out long range strikes on several high value military targets, some deep inside Pakistan, but with little or no mobilisation of troops on the ground as was done in the past. Similarly, neutralising enemy drones and missiles was done silently but effectively,” an Army officer said.

“The geopolitical aspect apart, at the doctrinal and functional levels the operation has thrown up several lessons for the planning and execution of military operations in multi-domain technology driven environment dominated by intelligence, surveillance and integrated air defence, where close inter-arms as well as inter-service coordination is critical,” he added.

The drill would test the Army’s ability to adapt, respond and prevail in a complex battlefield scenario. In Operation Sindoor, the Western Command had played a key role, defending Punjab and the Jammu region, as well as carrying out precision strikes inside Pakistan, firing guided munitions from artillery guns.

The exercise, being conducted by the Ambala-based Kharga Corps, will be held at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in north-western Rajasthan this month. “#ExKhargaShakti2026 - where advanced technology, precision strike capability and iron resolve will combine into a Force built for decisive action. Power would be projected. Readiness will be uncompromising. Response will be swift. We do not prepare to be seen. We prepare to prevail,” the Western Command posted on its X-handle.

The exercise will feature employment of next-generation equipment, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) integration, AI-enabled decision support tools and network-based command and control systems.

Besides conventional firepower and offensive manoeuvres, the exercise, sources said, will involve extensive use of different categories of drones that have been integrated into the fighting and support echelons at all levels for attack, surveillance, reconnaissance, communication, logistics and medical assistance.

Also, being brought into play are the newly raised Bhairav battalions that are light commando units comprising about 300 troops, primarily from the infantry with embedded elements from support arms, to bridge the gap between the traditional line infantry and the Special Forces.

Specialising in targeted disruption missions, drone operations, surveillance and swift independent actions, these compact, technology intensive and highly mobile units are structured, trained and equipped for cross-border strikes, reconnaissance, rapid-response and hybrid warfare that involves simultaneous operations in multiple domains.

Each such battalion also has a dedicated platoon, called Ashni, for drone and loiter munitions operations. Cyber warfare and information warfare are other specialities of these battalions.

Different formations under the Kharga Corps are already conducting competition-based exercises to validate the surveillance and targeting capabilities of the Ashni Platoons. Referred to as the 'Invisible Third Eye', these recently created platoons are equipped with cutting-edge short-range surveillance systems and pinpoint targeting unmanned aerial systems.