Exercise Vayu Prahar – A Multi-Domain Exercise at LAC

In the midst of the ongoing stand-off between India and China at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Indian Army and Air Force have conducted a 96-hour multi-domain air and land exercise, called ‘Vayu Prahar’, in the eastern sector. The exercise was conducted in the second week of March with the main objective of formulating plans that can lead to synergy in multi-domain operations.

What are Multi-Domain Operations?

Multi-domain operations are used to coordinate activities across different branches of the military to achieve converging results. Essentially, it is a mechanism to ensure that all branches of the armed forces work together seamlessly to achieve a common  goal.

Vayu Prahar Exercise

The main aim of the Vayu Prahar exercise was to enable coordination and rehearsal among various agencies for quick mobilisation, transportation and deployment of forces within a theatre, which can be executed across theatres. The scope of the joint exercise included the rapid mobilisation of a rapid reaction force from the hinterland, which was then tasked with air-land operations in a nominated advance landing ground (ALG).

Advance Landing Ground (ALG)

An ALG is usually a single landing strip for an aircraft, which in India is predominantly operated by the military forces. After landing at the ALG, the rapid action force was responsible for carrying out “contingency tasks” in challenging high-altitude terrain.

Location of the Exercise

Though exact location of the exercise and the ALG is unknown, there are seven to eight ALGs in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, which lies in the eastern sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. In December 2022, over 200 soldiers of China’s People’s Liberation Army clashed with Indian soldiers in the Yangtse area of Arunachal’s Tawang district. The clash came amid rising reports of Chinese incursions and construction activity over the past few years near the eastern sector.

India-China Stand-Off

The stand-off between India and China in the western sector of the LAC in eastern Ladakh is now in its third year. After 17 rounds of talks at the corps commander-level, the stalemate over Depsang Plains continues. Further talks are awaited for later this month.

Month: Current Affairs - March, 2023

Category: Defence Current Affairs