For the first time Prime Minister Narendra Modi will review the joint and integrated exercise of the three services – Army Navy, Air Force in Pokhran, Rajasthan.
This very special tri-service fire power demo has been named ‘Bharat-Shakti’ in which the three services will demonstrate their fire power, jointness and integration, which PM Modi has been in favour of.
According to sources in the defence and security establishment, on March 12, PM Modi will take stock of the strength of the three services through the ‘Bharat-Shakti’ exercise at Pokhran Field Firing Range.
The motto of this exercise is ‘Empowerment through Indigenization’. It is believed that in this exercise, the power of weapons and aircraft manufactured in the country under Swadeshi and Make in India will be demonstrated. The exercise is being organized by the Army and the other two services — the Air Force and the Navy, will also be involved.
About the Exercise
Bharat Shakti Integrated Tri-Service Live Fire and Maneuver Exercise will see the firing of indigenously made BMP vehicle, Armored Personnel Carrier, Tank, K-9 Vajra guns, Pinaka missile. And indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and Rudra Attack Helicopters will also be seen in action. During this period, Indian Navy’s warships and fighter jets deployed on aircraft carriers in the Arabian Sea will also take part in the drill.
As reported previously by Financial Express Online, the Ministry of Defence has been working towards creating a joint theater command instead of separate commands for the Army, Air Force and Navy. However, this has slowed down following the tragic death of the then country’s first CDS General Bipin Rawat in a helicopter crash.
Therefore, Ex-Bharat-Shakti exercise becomes very important where the three services will be seen together displaying their fire power in a simulated war scenario.
Last month, the Indian Air Force had organized its biggest fire power exercise ‘Vayu-Shakti’ in Pokhran. Fighter jets like Rafale, Sukhoi, Mirage 2000 etc. of the Air Force along with indigenous LCA had participated in it.