News Excerpt:

Tri-service military exercise 'Bharat Shakti' is to be held in Pokhran, Rajasthan.

About the news:

Objective:

• It will demonstrate the prowess of the three services' indigenously manufactured defence equipment.
• The exercise will underline India's growing emphasis on 'Atmanirbharta' (self-reliance) in defence.
• The exercise started on 12 March 2024 in Pokhran, Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan.

Events:

• The proceedings will commence with the Army's Special Forces, MARCOS of the Indian Navy and GARUDS of the Indian Air Force.
• Some parts of the exercise's naval segment (happening at sea) will be displayed digitally on the screen.
• In addition to firepower and ammunition, logistic capabilities for transporting equipment and evacuating injured and casualties using the latest technologies will also be demonstrated.
• The integration of individual communication systems of the tri-services, the 'e-Tarang' software tool, GIS-related systems, topographical maps, hydrographic charts, and air navigation charts with analysis and operational planning capabilities will also be showcased.
• It will also showcase systems and platforms integrated with the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
• The aspects of India's cyber and multi-domain operations capabilities are also being dovetailed along with the operations of the three services.

Participants:

• LCA Tejas, ALH Mk-IV, LCH Prachand, mobile anti-drone system, BMP-II and its variants, NAMICA (Nag Missile Carrier), T90 tanks, Dhanush, K9 Vajra and Pinaka rockets are among the platforms that will be demonstrated.
• The exercise will include various types of Radar, UAV-launched precision-guided munition, Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicles, drones of various types, including logistic drones and swarms of drones, and 3D-printed bunkers.

Significance of the exercise:

• It is the first-of-its-kind exercise on such a scale that is "not tailored towards any direction (northern or western border) or any adversaries.
• Through live firepower and manoeuvre demonstration, it endeavours to showcase the tri-service's operational capabilities to counter any threat, leveraging indigenous capability and the ability to undertake conflicts in the face of global upheavals.