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Vayu Shakti-19: The exercise in Pokharan will showcase prowess of IAF fleet

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File photo of IAF fighter jet participating in Vayu Shakti exercise.
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Indian Air Force’s Exercise, Vayu Shakti-2019, will showcase the strength of the IAF fleet and its firepower in the deserts of Pokharan firing range on February 16. 

The full dress rehearsal would be held on February 14. In the 20-day maneuvering operation, the IAF will be putting up display of its indigenous weapons and equipment, sources said. 

Some of the armoury which would be showcased during the exercise includes the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas attacking ground targets, gun firing from the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), firing of the Akash surface-to-air missile and the Astra air-to-air missile. 

The demonstrations by the ALH and the Akash will happen for the first time in the exercise. According to officials, 138 fighter jets will brandish their potential along with fighter helicopters equipped with state-of-the-art weapons. 

President Ram Nath Kovind will witness the efficiency of the air force of several other countries. The field firing range in Pokharan is resonating with blasts from live bomb detonations since many days. In addition to fighter jets like MiG-21, MiG-27, MiG-29, Jaguar and Sukhoi, Tejas, developed completely in the country, is participating in this year’s exercise. The squadrons from Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Phalodi, Uttlai, Nal, Hindan and Agra Airbase are participating in the event.  

After several improvements, the new MiG-29, introduced for the first time, will show its enhanced capabilities here for the first time. At the same time, the Garuda commandos will also display their preparedness in failing a terrorist attack, sources said. 

The Armed Missile Beyond Visual Range will find its targets during the exercise, while the sky missile will demonstrate the accuracy with which it can hit its targets in the air. 

“Vayu Shakti, which is a fire power demo, is basically a display of what can be done to identify targets whether on the ground or in the air during combat. So, what you see is a mix of lethality and precision,” an official said. The demonstration will be carried out during day, dusk and night, he added.

For the first time in the exercise, indigenous attack helicopter ALH Mark 4 (Advanced Light Helicopter) will showcase Rudra firepower. Rudra is capable of destroying the enemy and its tanks in land and air combat.

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