Updated February 16th, 2019 at 20:03 IST
"Enemy knows that it can't defeat us in a conventional conflict": IAF chief BS Dhanoa at Vayu Shakti 2019
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa spoke about the prowess and capability of the Air Force, adding that the enemy knows that it can't defeat us in a conventional conflict. "We are showcasing our ability to hit hard, hit fast, hit with precision, hit during the day, hit during the night, under adverse conditions through our autonomous bombing capability,"
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Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa spoke about the prowess and capability of the Air Force, adding that the enemy knows that it can't defeat us in a conventional conflict.
"We are showcasing our ability to hit hard, hit fast, hit with precision, hit during the day, hit during the night, under adverse conditions through our autonomous bombing capability,"
While wars are fought few and far between we have an ever-present sub-continental threat, the enemy knows that it can't defeat us in a conventional conflict. We showcase our ability to insert troops in enemy territories," he said.
The Indian Air Force demonstrated its full spectrum combat and fire capabilities during 'Exercise Vayu Shakti-2019' in Pokharan firing range close to Indo-Pak border in Rajasthan on Saturday.
Akash missile firing, gun firing from Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and MiG 29's air-to-ground role were displayed in the "first-time demonstrations" of the exercise which is scheduled to be attended by Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Indigenously developed weapons, aircraft and equipment displayed in the exercise will be Akash (mid-range surface-to-air missile), Astra (all-weather beyond visual range air-to-air missile), light combat aircraft Tejas, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning and Control) systems on Embraer (aircraft) platform.
Ability to detect targets, multi-spectrum capability, swift identification and neutralising targets with precision were displayed in the 1.55-hour long exercise aimed at showcasing the force's capabilities to prosecute 24X7 air operations.
Fighter planes like MiG29, Jaguar, Sukhoi, Mirage-2000, transport aircraft like AN-32, C130, Mi-17 VS and MI-35 helicopters were demonstrated its capabilities in the exercise.
The firepower demonstration by the IAF is conducted once in three years which is participated by fighters, transports, helicopters, force enablers and support systems.
First such demonstration was held on July 21, 1953, at Tilpat range in New Delhi. The last demonstration at Tilpat was conducted on March 18, 1989, and thereafter the event moved to Pokharan range in Rajasthan, which shares the border with Pakistan.
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Published February 16th, 2019 at 19:36 IST