The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to conduct a large-scale exercise in the northeastern region from September 25 to October 16, 2025, covering areas bordering China, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. The 22-day drill will also include operations in the strategically sensitive Siliguri Corridor, the narrow 22-kilometer stretch often called India’s “Chicken’s Neck,” which connects the northeast to the rest of the country.
A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) has been issued to designate restricted airspace during the exercise, a clear indication of India’s intent to showcase operational readiness amid simmering border tensions.
The Siliguri Corridor remains a strategic lifeline for nearly 50 million people in the northeast and a key security focus for the armed forces. In recent years, India has strengthened its Trishakti Corps and bolstered air defense systems in the region, with Rafale squadrons based at Hasimara playing a central role. The upcoming exercise is expected to feature frontline fighter jets and joint air-land maneuvers, which could temporarily disrupt civilian air traffic in cities such as Dibrugarh and Jorhat.
While the government has not released full details, analysts believe the exercise will sharpen coordination between the IAF and ground forces, reinforcing India’s deterrence posture along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). With regional power dynamics in flux, the exercise will be closely monitored by the international community as a barometer of India’s strategic resolve.
