Defence committee takes stock of preparations in Jaisalmer

The Standing Parliamentary Committee of Defence Affairs visited the Jaisalmer Air Force Station and the Military Area on Wednesday and observed the operational preparations. 

In the meeting with the Army and Air Force Officers, they discussed about the activities across the border, operational preparations for dealing with the enemy, deployment of new equipment and weapons and potential threat.

The officials explained to them about all operational preparations including joint land and air operational preparation of the army and air force during the war.

Air Force officers told about the importance of Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Uttarlai, Bikaner and Phalodi airbase on the western boundary located in the distance of three hundred km and also  gave information about air operational preparations They also told about the strength of Sukhoi 30, especially upgraded fighter aircraft and also gave information about the communication system to monitor every activity across the border. 

In addition to this, they provided information about army exercise in Pokhran and recent successful trial of the tanks, missiles and all other equipments.  In the meeting, officials said that there will be shortage of fighter aircrafts due to the start of the phase-out of MiG series aircrafts. They also told the committee about tanks, armored vehicles, weapons and lack of ammunition.

On this, the committee members told that the defence sector is the first priority for the government. The government is serious about military requirements. The process of procuring all modern equipment including arms, tanks for the army and the new aircraft, arms and equipment for the air force is underway. With the purchase of new weapons, the construction of indigenous weapons is also going on fast. Modernization work is going on fast in the army and air force and the three armies will be made more powerful.

Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and Lok Sabha MP, who is also the President of this committee, is himself retired Army Major General. Therefore, under his leadership, committee members are observing and understanding about operational activities of the Army and the Air Force, near the border in Rajasthan. 

After taking stock of army and air bases in Jaisalmer and meeting with officials, the team reached the Tanot mata temple by helicopter. After sighting there, they watched the cross-border activities from the Bablian border post along with the BSF officials. Defence Parliamentary Committee will come to Barmer on Thursday morning and will visit the uttarlai airbase and the Jalipa Army cantt. They will also check the munabao border post. 

Apart from Khanduri, the committee includes eighteen MPs including MP Kalraj Mishra,  Sanjay Raut and others. The committee reached Jaisalmer on wednesday after seeing the preparations of the Army and Air Force in Jodhpur. After visiting Barmer, Committee members will visit Jodhpur on Friday and will take information about the equipment and weapons designed for the army in Defence Laboratory. 

Exercise and trials

• Air Force officers provided information about army exercise in Pokhran and recent successful trial of the tanks, missiles and all other equipments. 
• After taking stock of army and air bases in Jaisalmer and meeting with officials, the team reached the Tanot mata temple by helicopter. 
• They watched the cross-border activities from the Bablian border post along with the BSF officials.
• Defense Parliamentary Committee will go to Barmer on Thursday morning and will visit the uttarlai airbase and the Jalipa Army cantt.