News Excerpt:

Recently, Indian Air Force (IAF) Conducted 'EXERCISE - VAYU SHAKTI-24' in Rajasthan.

Key Points:

• The Indian Air Force showcased its offensive capabilities by day and night at the Pokhran air-to-ground range near Jaisalmer, with fighter jets carrying out precision strikes against simulated enemy aircraft and targets on the ground, including runways, bridges, ammunition dumps, radar sites, terror camps, thermal power plants and ordnance factories, to ensure superiority in the battlefield.
• This year's theme of the Exercise, 'Lightning Strike from the Sky'.
• Over 120 aircraft of the IAF, including Rafale, Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Mirage-2000, Tejas, C-17 and C-130J, took part in the exercise.
• Keeping up with the technological advancements in the combat domain and the lessons learnt from recent conflicts, the lAF also displayed a long-range unmanned drone, which destroyed a simulated enemy radar site, with pinpoint accuracy.
• The indigenous Air Defence Systems, Akash and SAMAR missile systems were also showcased, destroying multiple aerial targets. 
• Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan was the chief guest at the event.

About Exercise Vayu shakti:

• It is a triennial exercise that has been going on since 1954, conducted once every three years. 
• Its aim is to showcase the capability of the IAF to conduct full spectrum operations (Day and Night).
• The last edition of exercise Vayu Shakti was held on 16 February, 2019.