New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to hold ‘Exercise Vayu Shakti-24’ at Pokhran’s Air to Ground Range, near Jaisalmer, on 17 February with several firsts planned for demonstration. The exercise seeks to “showcase the full spectrum of operations” that the IAF can undertake “in a realistic scenario”.
The last edition of Vayu Shakti was held on 16 February 2019.
The 2-hour-15-minute-long exercise, which will begin at dusk, will see the participation of over 120 aircraft, including 77 fighter planes, 41 helicopters and five transport aircraft. Some of the aircraft will be in support and stand-by roles on the ground.
Briefing the media about the exercise Friday, Vice-Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal A.P. Singh said, “We plan to conduct the Vayu Shakti-2024 exercise to showcase the full spectrum of operations that Indian aerospace power can take on. It will be conducted in a realistic scenario.”
He added that the aim of the exercise is not only to practice and showcase the equipment or capability of the crew, but also to showcase the ability to undertake swift operations that involve coordination. “The aim is to be able to deliver 40-50 tonnes of ammunition in a radius of 1-1.5 km,” he said.
The exercise will feature several firsts, such as the debut of the Rafale fighter, the indigenously developed Prachanda Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and the Apache attack helicopter. The C17 transport aircraft will also be seen dropping ammunition for the first time in the exercise, said Air Marshal Singh.
The participating aircraft will include other indigenously manufactured ones such as the Tejas fighter and the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH). Aircraft such as Mirage-2000, MiG, Su-30, Jaguar, Hawk, C17, C130, Chinook, and Mi-17 will also be a part of the demonstration. The Avros and An-32s will be in support roles.
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Missile systems, surface-to-air weapons to be fired
The exercise will also feature air-to-air and air-to-ground missile systems. Surface-to-air weapons will be fired at targets, in coordination with Army assets.
The Army’s M777 howitzer guns will be carried underslung by Chinook helicopters to fire from the ground.
The Indian Army’s Rudra helicopters will also take part in the exercise and fire missiles. Even though the Rudra helicopter has participated in the Vayu Shakti exercise in the past, this time it will be firing two weapons as opposed to one in the past, said Air Marshal Singh.
The exercise will be controlled from the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), which is located across India. The Indian Navy will take part through the backend as part of the IACCS, added Air Marshal Singh, but the force doesn’t have an asset taking part in the exercise.
In terms of weapon systems, a number of air-to-air missiles are set to take part in the exercise. The French missile, MICA, will be fired from the Rafales. The R-73 missiles will be fired from the Tejas fighter.
Among surface-to-air weapons, the Surface-to-Air Missile for Assured Retaliation (SAMAR) system and Akash missiles will be a part of the exercise.
Several air force bases under the South Western Air Command (SWAC) will be activated, including Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Phalodi, Nal and Uttarlai. Bases under the Western Air Command, Hindon and Agra, will also be involved while the exercise is ongoing.
The aircraft taking part in the exercise will come from several air force commands, including Central and Southern, headquartered in Prayagraj and Thiruvananthapuram, respectively. Twelve unmanned aerial vehicles will also be used for support roles.
(Edited by Richa Mishra)
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