When 77 fighter jets, 43 helicopters and 8 transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) take to the skies near the Pakistan border, they will not only be part of Exercise Vayu Shakti but will also showcase the precision seen during 'Operation Sindoor'. The exercise will take place on February 27 at the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Rajasthan and will last for 2 hours and 35 minutes. During the drill, the Air Force will attack 23 targets and use approximately 12,000 kilograms of explosives.

Exercise Vayu Shakti to showcase operational strength
IAF Vice Chief Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor said the message of Operation Sindoor was clear: terrorism will not be tolerated. He stated that any terrorist attack on Indian soil will be met with a retaliatory response, and those responsible will be made to pay the price. He further stated that Exercise Vayu Shakti will showcase the precision targeting carried out during that operation.

The primary objective of this exercise is to demonstrate the Air Force's capabilities and operational readiness. Airbases in Jaisalmer, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Jodhpur will be active, while aircraft from Hindon and Vadodara will also participate. The drill will showcase both day and night operational skills. The 23 targets will include strategic, tactical, surface, and aerial targets.

From Rafale to C-295: A full range of platforms on display
A total of 277 weapons will be used in the exercise. Fighter jets like Rafale, Sukhoi-30, MiG-29, Tejas and Jaguar will participate. Helicopters like Apache, LCH Prachand, Chinook and ALH will also be involved. The exercise will also showcase coordination with other forces, with M-777 guns, L-70 air defence guns and Special Forces commandos taking part. The C-295 aircraft will be seen in an operational role for the first time.

On the possibility of purchasing 114 more Rafale jets, Kapoor said the Air Force is considering the option under the MRFA programme and a final decision is yet to be taken.

Regarding the video from Pakistan's Kirana Hills, he said that India only targeted terrorist camps and military installations. The origin and cause of the explosions shown in the circulated video are not yet clear.

PC: news24online