Made in India platforms such as Akash and Samar surface-to-air missile systems and Prachand helicopters took part for the first time
The Indian Air Force (IAF) showcased its full-spectrum aerospace weapons offensive capabilities firepower exercise ‘Vayu Shakti-24’ on Saturday at Pokhran, Rajasthan, after a hiatus of five years. In a two-hour display, the air force let loose its deadly missiles, ‘smart’ bombs and other precision-guided munitions amounting to around 50 tons at one place in full public glare in the deserts, beginning in daylight and continuing into the night, effectively highlighting the IAF’s round-the-clock operational prowess. The last ‘Vayu Shakti’ took place on 16 February 2019, just two days following the Pulwama terror attack, with the subsequent Balakot air strikes launched by the IAF ten days later. Following the Balakot airstrikes, the IAF has acquired Rafale fighter jets, a state-of-the-art air defence system called ‘Samar,’ and three distinct helicopter models – advanced multi-mission heavy-lift Chinook, attack helicopters Apache, and indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand – into its fleet. These assets, alongside the legacy fighter jets, demonstrated their capabilities.
Aligned with this year’s theme, ‘Lightning Strike from the Sky,’ more than 120 aircraft showcased their capabilities. Among them were fighter jets such as Sukhoi 30 MKI, MiG 29, Jaguar, Mirage, Tejas, and Hawk. The demonstration also featured special operations planes like the C-130J and the C17 and helicopters like the Mi17 and ALH. A Rafale fighter jet engaged in a simulated dogfight by firing the MICA air-to-air missile at a flying target for the first time, reminiscent of the last dogfight between Indian and Pakistani pilots on 27 February 2019, where India lost a MiG 21 jet but successfully shot down a Pakistani F16. The Apache attack helicopter showcased its firepower by launching the Hellfire air-to-ground guided anti-tank missile, capable of hitting targets up to 10 km away, while Mi-17 helicopters engaged ground targets with rockets.
In another first, Chinook helicopters showcased the swift deployment of combat assets by airlifting the Army’s 155 mm/39-calibre M-777 Ultra-Light Howitzer guns in an underslung mode. Subsequently, these howitzers efficiently annihilated simulated enemy targets on the ground. The Chinooks have been instrumental in deploying troops and equipment, particularly during the military stand-off with China along the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh.
As the sun descended on the horizon, Garuds, inserted by Mi-17 helicopters, executed an ‘Urban Intervention,’ showcasing their proficiency in anti-terror/insurgency operations focused on clearing hideouts of hostile elements. The indigenous Air Defence Systems, Akash and SAMAR missile systems were also demonstrated, successfully eliminating multiple aerial targets.
In night events, the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter ‘Prachand’ capabilities were unveiled for the first time as it neutralised designated targets with rockets. It was followed by a display featuring the Jaguar and Su-30 MKI, which dropped heavy calibre and area weapons, highlighting the Indian Air Force’s strategic bombing capability during nighttime operations. The lAF also displayed a long-range unmanned drone, which destroyed a simulated enemy radar site with pinpoint accuracy. Remotely Piloted Aircraft conducted a live-streamed bomb damage assessment of all targets to the operations centre and the audience.
In the upcoming months, the Indian Air Force is set to organise two more large-scale exercises. In April, the IAF’s entire war-fighting machinery will be activated again for the “Gagan Shakti” exercise, which is held once every five years and will involve sustained high-tempo operations from Ladakh to Andaman and Nicobar Islands as well as switching of forces between the eastern and western theatres.
In August, India’s largest multilateral air combat exercise, “Tarang Shakti”, will witness air forces from a dozen countries like the US, France, Australia, Japan and the UAE participating in intensive drills at Jodhpur. This event is poised to be the most extensive multi-nation air exercise ever held on Indian territory, encompassing a wide array of assets such as fighter jets, transport aircraft, helicopters, mid-air refuelers, airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft, and unmanned systems.
Ravi Shankar, Pokhran
