The Indian government has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) designating a portion of airspace along the southern border with Pakistan for an Indian Air Force (IAF) exercise scheduled for June 18–19, 2025. The high-altitude exercise, expected to reach up to 20,000 feet, will take place near the Arabian Sea, in close proximity to the Gujarat-Pakistan border, signaling an uptick in military preparedness amid escalating regional tensions.
The timing of the exercise follows India’s recent Operation Sindoor, launched in early May, which involved missile strikes on Pakistani military targets in Punjab province and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The operation was a direct retaliation for a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that left several Indian civilians and security personnel dead.
Defense analysts suggest the upcoming drill may serve as a platform to test cutting-edge systems, including potential hypersonic missile technologies, which were recently hinted at by former ISRO chief S. Somanath. While the Ministry of Defence has categorized the drill as part of routine preparedness measures, the regional context and proximity to Pakistan make it a focal point of strategic interest.
The Line of Control (LoC) remains on high alert as both nations continue to monitor each other’s movements. Past airspace restrictions, including a ban on Pakistani aircraft over certain Indian zones from April 30 to May 23, reflect the sensitive and rapidly evolving nature of India-Pakistan relations.
Observers have also noted that the drill coincides with unfolding geopolitical shifts in nearby Iran, suggesting that India’s preparedness may be linked to a broader assessment of regional instability. While there is no official indication of coordinated action, the convergence of military activity in the region has not gone unnoticed by global defense experts.
Local authorities have clarified that the exercise is being conducted with civilian safety in mind, and that airspace reservations have been made to minimize disruptions to commercial aviation. Nevertheless, the announcement has drawn international attention, with strategic circles watching closely for any signs of escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
