For the first time in the country, Rafale fighter jet is going to showcase its power during Ex Vayu Shakti exercise of the Indian Air Force (IAF). During the drill to be held in Pokhran, Rajasthan later this month on Feb 17th the Rafale fighter jet can be seen firing MICA missiles in the Indian sky.
Briefing the media persons ahead of the drill, Vice Chief Air Marshal AP Singh, IAF, said that more than 100 aircraft are taking part in the air power exercise held once in three years. These include a total of 77 fighter jets including Rafale, Tejas, Sukhoi, MiG-29, Mirage 200 and Jaguar and 41 helicopters, three types of surface-to-air missiles, 12 UAVs, air-to-ground missiles, etc.
Precision and non-precision missiles, air-to-air guided missiles and surface-to-air guided missiles will also be displayed. Also five military transport aircraft will participate in the exercise. According to the Vice-Chief in this exercise that will last for about two hours, Indian Air Force’s fighter planes, attack helicopters and missiles will rain 40 to 50 tonnes of ordnance in a one to two-kilometre radius.
Along with the 36 Rafale fighter aircraft purchased from France, the IAF had also procured MBDA company’s Mica air-to-air missile. Apart from this, Meteor (long-range air-to-air missile) and Scalp (air-to-ground missile) were also taken. Being equipped with these three missiles, Rafale fighter jet is considered to be a very deadly fighter jet across the world.
Vayu Shakti is the biggest fire power demo exercise of the IAF which has been going on since 1954. Last time this exercise took place was in the year 2019. Within just 10 days of this exercise, i.e. on 26 February, the IAF entered Pakistan and carried out Balakot air-strike.
Was the Rafale fighter jet in the 2019 drill?
No. Because till then the Rafale Air Force had not received it from France.
According to the IAF, during the exercise the indigenous LCA Tejas fighter jet will fire air-to-air missile R-73. Apart from this, indigenous Akash and Samar missile systems will also show their strength. For the first time, Chinook heavy-lift helicopters, Apache attack helicopters from the US based Boeing Company and indigenous Rudra helicopters of the Army will also be seen firing. IAF’s integrated air command and control system (IACCS) will be the backbone of the exercise,
During the exercise, the army’s M777 ultra-light howitzers will be seen. Chinook helicopters can carry these 155 mm/39-caliber howitzers, which have a range of up to 30 km, as underslung loads for swift deployment.
According to an official statement issued by the IAF, “Special operations by IAF transport and helicopter fleets, involving the Garud commandos and Indian Army elements will also be on display.”
During this period, 500-600 air warriors will be present in Pokhran. Air Bases like Jodhpur, Phalodi, Nal, Jaisalmer, Hindon and Agra will remain fully active during Vayu Shakti exercise. The Air Force has already issued NOTAM in Rajasthan. What this means is that Rajasthan will remain a no-fly zone from February 3. Because Air Force practice will start from Saturday (3 February) and full-dress rehearsal of the exercise will also take place on 14 February.
The theme of air power exercise this year is Nabhas Vajra Prahar i.e. thunderbolt strike from the sky in which UAVs will also be in support roles. During this show of power by the IAF, apart from the Air Force Chief, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be present, and most likely Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also be there.