IAF firepower, combat capabilities come to the fore at Pokhran range

The Indian Air Force on Saturday showcased its offensive capabilities by day and night at the Pokhran air-to-ground range near Jaisalmer, with fighter jets carrying out precision strikes against simulated enemy aircraft and targets on ground, including runways, bridges, ammunition dumps, radar sites, terror camps, thermal power plants and ordnance factories, to ensure superiority in the battlefield.

- Rahul Singh

Exercise Vayu Shakti-24, based on the theme Lightning Strike from the Sky, saw IAF's combat platforms drop around 50 tonnes of ordnance in a span of two hours over an area measuring two square km.

The highlights of the exercise, which involved more than 120 aircraft, included Jaguar fighter jets destroying an 'ammunition dump' in a high-speed, low-level strike, Sukhoi- 30s targeting a 'bridge', the Rafale deploying its Mica missile to down an enemy jet simulated by a drone, and Apache attack helicopters firing their Hellfire missiles to take out a 'tank formation.' India-made platforms such as the light combat aircraft Tejas, Prachand light combat helicopters, and Akash and Samar surface-to-air missile systems were among the elements featured in the exercise.

Those present included chief of defence staff General Anil Chauhan, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, several top military officials and defence attaches of various countries.

"These attacks were delivered in multiple modes and directions, employing a variety of precision guided munitions as well as conventional bombs and rockets," IAF said in a statement.

The Tejas fighters showcased their swing-role capability as they first engaged an aerial target, and later a ground target.