IAF to hold firepower demo on Feb 27; focus on future wars, Operation Sindoor
The 2.30-hour-long demonstration, named ‘Exercise Vayu Shakti’, will be held at Pokhran firing range in Rajasthan
The Indian Air Force (IAF) will conduct its first firepower demonstration post Operation Sindoor, focusing on the nature of future conflicts while highlighting its success against Pakistan in May last year.
The 2.30-hour-long demonstration, named ‘Exercise Vayu Shakti’ — conducted every two years — will be held on February 27 at the Pokhran firing range in Rajasthan.
It will feature 77 fighter aircraft, with missiles being fired at ground and air targets. Scores of helicopters and UAVs will also be part of the exercise that will showcase 277 weapons, including smart weapons and those used for precision strikes.
Vice Chief of the IAF, Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, said on Wednesday, “Coming after Operation Sindoor, the demonstration has a different connotation.”
The IAF said the objective is to showcase its combat prowess to win future wars and how to achieve deterrence through demonstrated capabilities.
The demonstration would show how airspace is controlled and how air defence is carried out through seamless integration of systems and sensors of multiple agencies.
During Operation Sindoor, the IAF’s integrated command and control node, in collaboration with the Army, did a commendable job in shooting down Pakistan.
The firepower demonstration will also reaffirm the primacy of the Air Force in long-range targeting and highlight the IAF’s successful campaign of Operation Sindoor.
The IAF will also focus on UAVs, loitering munitions, and showcase surface-to-air guided weapons Akash and Spyder.
