Srirangan
05-10-2005, 08:30 AM
Vajra Shakti Military Exercise
9th May 2005 @ Near Jalandhar, Punjab, India
View Photographs (http://srirangan.net/india-defence/node/237)
Exercise Vajra Shakti was jointly planned by the Indian Army's 11 Corps and the Indian Air Force's (IAF) 1 Tactical Air Centre, which is an integral part of the corps, said a defence ministry spokesperson.
The army and the IAF regularly carry out exercises to improve interoperability. This was the first large-scale exercise in the Punjab sector after Operation Parakram, the mobilisation of forces on the Pakistan border following the terror attack on parliament in December 2001. Combat units from bases under IAF's Western Air Command are participating in the exercise.
"The ability of air power to marshal resources from diverse and far flung bases ranging from Gwalior (in Madhya Pradesh) to Pathankot (in Punjab) into the area of operations has been practised during this exercise," the spokesperson said.
"The participating air force units played a crucial role during all tactical aspects of the exercise."
As many as 130 sorties were made by IAF fighters, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in conjunction with army units.
"The exercises have included reconnaissance by UAVs and fighters, air strikes by fighters and attack helicopters and special heliborne operations in conjunction with army commandos," the spokesperson said.
9th May 2005 @ Near Jalandhar, Punjab, India
View Photographs (http://srirangan.net/india-defence/node/237)
Exercise Vajra Shakti was jointly planned by the Indian Army's 11 Corps and the Indian Air Force's (IAF) 1 Tactical Air Centre, which is an integral part of the corps, said a defence ministry spokesperson.
The army and the IAF regularly carry out exercises to improve interoperability. This was the first large-scale exercise in the Punjab sector after Operation Parakram, the mobilisation of forces on the Pakistan border following the terror attack on parliament in December 2001. Combat units from bases under IAF's Western Air Command are participating in the exercise.
"The ability of air power to marshal resources from diverse and far flung bases ranging from Gwalior (in Madhya Pradesh) to Pathankot (in Punjab) into the area of operations has been practised during this exercise," the spokesperson said.
"The participating air force units played a crucial role during all tactical aspects of the exercise."
As many as 130 sorties were made by IAF fighters, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in conjunction with army units.
"The exercises have included reconnaissance by UAVs and fighters, air strikes by fighters and attack helicopters and special heliborne operations in conjunction with army commandos," the spokesperson said.