Indian Air Force to Conduct its Biggest Exercise 'Gagan Shakti' Along Pakistan and China Border
The Indian Air force will conduct on of its biggest combat exercises, ‘Gagan Shakti’ from Sunday to test its operational preparedness. The exercise will focus on dealing with combined threat from China and Pakistan.
New Delhi, April 6: The Indian Air force will conduct one of its biggest combat exercises, ‘Gagan Shakti’ from Sunday to test its operational preparedness. The exercise will focus on dealing with combined threat from China and Pakistan. The exercise will begin from April 8-22 and will involve all the assets ofthe IAF including fighter squadrons. The main objective is to check war waging capability of the force.
The IAF will conduct this exercise in coordination with the Indian Army and The Indian Navy to frame joint operational strategy in war like situation. The Indian Air Force will mobilise its equipment in the war like situation within 48 hours of the orders given by the Air Chief Marshal.
The exercise will be conducted in two phases. In the first phase the exercise will be conducted along the northern border with China, where in the second phase it will be conducted along the western border to check the war preparedness. As per protocol Pakistan has been informed about this exercise.
According to the inputs from ANI, more than 300 officers and around 15000 airmen from The Indian Air Force will be part of the exercise. Operational capabilities of indigenous built Tejas will also be tested in this exercise. Tejas will be used for offensive and defensive roles. The IAF will conduct all terrain operations- desert, high altitude, maritime scenarios and special operations- in the real time. Mobility and strength of the force will be tested. The Aircrafts will fly from Bhuj to Assam in a specific period of time.
The IAF will also check its logistic system, focus will also be on testing long range mission with concentrated weapon releases across all air to ground ranges of India. According to PTI, IAF said, “While it is an IAF centric exercise, it is planned to be executed keeping in mind the 'Joint Operational Doctrine'. The requirements of the other services are being met and the same has been factored while planning the exercise settings.”
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 07, 2018 12:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).