Indian Air Force Showcases Dominance in Exercise Vayu Shakti-2024

Defense News ,India :- On a Saturday near the India-Pakistan border in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, the Pokhran range became the stage for a remarkable demonstration of the Indian Air Force's combat and fire capabilities during Exercise Vayu Shakti-2024. The event, themed as 'lightning strike from the sky,' featured over 120 IAF aircraft, including the Rafale, Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Mirage-2000, Tejas, C-17, and C-130J.

The display included precision attacks on simulated enemy targets both on the ground and in the air. Notably, a Rafale aircraft successfully engaged an aerial target using a Beyond Visual Range air-to-air missile.

Transport aircraft played a significant role in combat support operations, with a C-17 executing a Containerised Delivery System drop and a C-130J performing an assault landing while carrying the elite Garud commandos.

For the first time, an Apache attack helicopter showcased its firepower, and Mi-17 helicopters engaged ground targets. The IAF's Chinook helicopters demonstrated rapid deployment by airlifting the Army's M-777 Ultra-Light Howitzers in an underslung mode.

The chief guest at the event was Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan. Defence spokesperson Amitabh Sharma highlighted that around 50 tonnes of ordnance were dropped over a two-square-kilometer area in two hours, showcasing the IAF's offensive lethality and precision targeting capability.

Emphasizing the IAF's commitment to 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat,' the indigenously developed Tejas aircraft demonstrated its swing-role capability, destroying both aerial and ground targets.

The exercise also featured the display of a long-range unmanned drone and an 'urban intervention' drill by Garud commandos during sunset, showcasing their proficiency in anti-insurgency operations.

The indigenous air defence systems Akash and SAMAR were on display, along with a demonstration of the night-time capabilities of the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) 'Prachand,' which neutralized a designated target using rockets. Additionally, a Jaguar and a Su-30 MKI dropped heavy-caliber weapons at night, with remotely piloted aircraft conducting a live-streamed bomb damage assessment of all targets.

The event concluded with a free fall drop by the 'Akashganga' team and flare dispensing by a C-130J aircraft. This comprehensive display underlines the Indian Air Force's dominance and versatility in modern warfare.