Vayu Shakti – 24

Blog Credit: Trupti Thakur

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Vayu Shakti – 24

 

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to conduct Exercise Vayu Shakti-24, a grand display of its aerial might, on 17 February 2024, at the Pokhran Air to Ground Range near Jaisalmer. Following the successful execution of the previous edition on 16 February 2019, this year’s exercise promises to be an even more impressive demonstration of the IAF’s offensive and defensive capabilities, both during the day and night.

A Testament to Air Power

Exercise Vayu Shakti is a biennial event that serves as a testament to the Indian Air Force’s strategic capabilities. It is an opportunity for the IAF to demonstrate its combat readiness and operational effectiveness, showcasing a wide array of aircraft and weapon systems in action. This exercise also highlights the seamless integration and joint operations capabilities with the Indian Army, emphasizing the synergistic approach to national defense.

An Impressive Array of Aircraft

The 2024 edition of Exercise Vayu Shakti will feature the participation of 121 aircraft, reflecting the diverse and advanced fleet of the IAF. Notably, the exercise will include indigenous marvels such as the Tejas, Prachand (Light Combat Helicopter), and Dhruv helicopters, showcasing India’s strides in self-reliance in defense technology. Additionally, formidable aircraft like the Rafale, Mirage-2000, Sukhoi-30 MKI, Jaguar, Hawk, C-130J, Chinook, Apache, and Mi-17 will display their capabilities, underlining the IAF’s modernization and strategic depth.

Demonstrating Indigenous Defense Capabilities

A key highlight of Exercise Vayu Shakti-24 will be the demonstration of indigenous Surface to Air Weapon systems, namely Akash and Samar. These systems will exhibit their proficiency in tracking and neutralizing intruding aircraft, showcasing India’s growing self-reliance in air defense technology. This aspect of the exercise underscores the IAF’s commitment to integrating homegrown technologies into its operational framework.

Showcasing Precision and Coordination

The exercise is set to demonstrate the IAF’s ability to deliver weapons with long-range precision as well as accurately deploy conventional weapons. The operation from multiple air bases will illustrate the force’s adaptability and logistical prowess. Special operations involving the IAF’s transport and helicopter fleets, including the elite Garud Commando Force and elements of the Indian Army, will also be on display, highlighting the IAF’s capability to conduct complex, multi-dimensional operations.

The Indian Air Force will flex its muscles at an upcoming exercise in Rajasthan that will involve more than 120 aircraft, including 77 fighter jets, with the drills aimed at showcasing the air force’s offensive and defensive capabilities by day and night, officials aware of the matter said on Friday.

Exercise Vayu Shakti-24 will be conducted on February 17 at the Pokhran air-to-ground range near Jaisalmer. IAF will deploy its frontline assets during the exercise, including Rafale fighter jets, Mirage-2000s, Sukhoi-30 MKIs, light combat aircraft Tejas, Jaguars, Chinook heavy-lift helicopters, Apache attack helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles and surface-to-air missile systems.

“In a span of two hours, we will drop 40 to 50 tonnes of ordnance in a one to two-kilometre radius,” IAF vice chief Air Marshal AP Singh told reporters during a briefing on the exercise. The platforms taking part in the exercise for the first time include Rafales, Prachand light combat helicopters and Samar surface-to-air weapon system, Singh said.

Vayu Shakti was last held at Pokhran in February 2019 when fighter planes targeted and destroyed simulated enemy sites including ammunition dumps, bridges and command posts with a variety of missiles, precision-guided munitions, bombs and rockets, demonstrating IAF’s capability to hit hard, hit fast and hit with precision.

“As always, Exercise Vayu Shakti will be a riveting demonstration of the offensive and defensive capabilities of IAF by day and night. It will demonstrate IAF’s capability to deliver weapons with precision, on time and with devastating effect while operating from multiple air bases,” IAF said in a statement.

The exercise will also showcase joint operations with the army, it said.

The army’s M777 ultra-light howitzers will be seen in action during the exercise. Chinook helicopters can carry these 155 mm/39-calibre howitzers, which have a range of up to 30 km, as underslung load for swift deployment.

“Special operations by IAF transport and helicopter fleets, involving the Garud commandos and Indian Army elements will also be on display,” the statement added.

 

 

 

Blog By: Trupti Thakur