By Emeka Blast 
Here’s the latest: India has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM)—an official aviation advisory—signaling a significant airspace restriction for a large-scale Indian Air Force exercise near the Pakistan border in Rajasthan, scheduled June 7–8, 2025.
✈️ What the NOTAM Covers
- Dates & Times: Begins at 3:30 pm on June 7 and ends at 9:30 pm on June 8. (firstpost.com)
- Airspace Impact: Affected zone runs along the southern stretch of the Indo–Pak border in Rajasthan, with restricted civilian flight access during this period.
🎯 Purpose & Participants
- Designed as a routine two-day combat exercise—described as high‑intensity—with day and night flying, putting the IAF’s combat readiness to the test.
- Frontline assets participating include:
- Dassault Rafale
- Mirage 2000
- Sukhoi‑30MKI
- Supported by AWACS, mid-air refuellers, UAVs, and helicopters
🌐 Context & Strategic Significance
- This drill follows increased tensions after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives and heightened India–Pakistan stress. Both nations have already imposed airspace restrictions.
- India also earlier issued a NOTAM for May 7–8 over the same region—featuring similar exercises—indicating a continuum in operational posture.
📝 What a NOTAM Means
A NOTAM is an official alert for pilots, marking temporary changes or hazards in airspace—such as restricted zones during military drills. Pilots must consult NOTAMs directly during flight planning and briefings.
✅ What You Should Know
- Civilian Flights: Expect rerouting or cancellations if flying through Rajasthan’s western corridor.
- Aviation Safety: Pilots must reference the NOTAM to avoid restricted airspace during the exercise window.
- Security Posture: Reflects IAF’s ongoing preparedness alongside broader national defence drills (e.g., May 7 civil defence mock drills).
Summary
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| NOTAM Dates | June 7–8, 2025 (15:30–21:30 IST) |
| Location | Rajasthan, along southern Indo–Pak border |
| Purpose | High-intensity IAF air combat drill |
| Assets | Rafale, Mirage 2000, Su‑30, AWACS, UAVs, more |
Let me know if you’d like flight impact specifics, pilot procedures, or deeper strategy analysis.
