Indian Air Force to Display Full Might in ‘Gagan Shakti-2024’ Exercise
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is gearing up to demonstrate its comprehensive operational capabilities in the forthcoming ‘Gagan Shakti-2024’ exercise, slated to run from April 1-10. This extensive drill will see participation from all IAF bases and assets across the nation, aiming to simulate high-intensity operations in a realistic setting. The exercise, which was last conducted in 2018, involves more than 11,000 sorties, showcasing the IAF’s readiness for potential two-front conflicts. The forthcoming drills underscore the IAF’s strategic preparedness, with a focus on various combat scenarios ranging from deep strikes and air dominance to maritime operations and air defense.
In addition to ‘Gagan Shakti-2024’, the IAF has recently concluded the ‘Vayu Shakti-2024’ exercise at Pokhran, featuring an array of frontline assets including Rafale jets, Mirage-2000s, Sukhoi-30 MKIs, and more. This was followed by the tri-services ‘Bharat Shakti’ exercise, observed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demonstrating India’s indigenous military capabilities. Notably, the exercises have showcased India’s commitment to leveraging its domestic defense technologies, with a recent mishap involving a Tejas aircraft highlighting the risks associated with high-octane military drills.
Looking ahead, the IAF is preparing for ‘Tarang Shakti’, set to be the largest multi-nation air exercise hosted on Indian soil, involving 12 global air forces. This significant event aims to enhance interoperability, share best practices, and strengthen military cooperation among participating nations, featuring an impressive lineup of military aircraft and systems. The ‘Tarang Shakti’ exercise represents a pivotal moment for the IAF, as it continues to engage in high-level international collaboration and showcase its strategic capabilities on the global stage.
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