Major Exercises in 2024 to Showcase Jointness
The Indian Air Force (IAF) will conduct three major exercises in 2024, emphasizing jointness across India’s defense forces as they work towards establishing theater commands. The key focus areas are integration and coordination in modern warfare.
Vayu Shakti-2024
- The first exercise, Vayu Shakti-2024, will demonstrate the firepower capacities of the IAF’s fighter fleet.
- It will be held on February 17 in Jaisalmer as a major firepower show.
- The IAF will utilize all its frontline aircraft like the Rafale, Su-30MKIs, LCA Tejas, Mirage 2000 and MiG-29s. They will launch different missiles and bombs at designated ground targets.
- Elements of the Indian Army and Navy, including attack helicopters, will also display their strike prowess.
Exercise Gaganshakti
- The next wargame is Exercise Gaganshakti, planned for April 2024. It will witness a full-scale activation of the entire IAF, from Ladakh to the Indian Ocean and Bhuj to Arunachal Pradesh.
- Almost all IAF combat fleet, transports, helicopters and drones will participate in offensive and defensive maneuvers along the borders.
- Key assets like the S-400 air defense systems will also be activated on the Western and Northern fronts.
- There will be close coordination between IAF fighters and naval assets like the P-8Is and MiG-29Ks.
Tarang Shakti-2024
- The third exercise is the first-ever multinational air exercise called Tarang Shakti-2024.
- It could see the participation of leading air forces like Germany, France, Italy and the United States.
- The wargame is presently planned for August 2024 at the Jodhpur airbase. The exact foreign participants will be finalized by June.
- Last year, the IAF had focused more on multinational exercises abroad across Europe, West Asia and the Asia-Pacific.
Month: Current Affairs - January, 2024
Category: Defence Current Affairs