Pokhran, Rajasthan, Mar 14: The Indian Air Force (IAF) today demonstrated its awesome strike capability in ground attack as well as air operations, while the air chief asserted the purpose of the exercise was training and was not intended to 'send any message' to neighbouring countries. Top frontline aircraft of the IAF, including the Sukhoi 30 MKI multi-role fighters, the Jaguar deep-penetration strike fighter, the Mig 29 Air Superiority Fighter, the MIG 27 Variable-Geometry Ground Attack Aircraft, MIG 23 Ground Support Aircraft and the MIG 21 multi-role fighter, were deployed and engaged in different types of operations a modern air force is supposed to perform. These included counter-air operations, air defence operations, counter-surface force operations and combat surface force operations. Demonstrating the air defence operations, a combat air patrol was flown by a pair of SU-30 fighters, defending vital national installations and culminated with the launching of two air-to-air missiles against a 'decoy' target. Counter-air operations, intended against enemy airfield infrastructure, were flown by the Mirages and Jaguars, which destroyed a simulated runway and radar installations.
In counter-surface force operations, 'battlefield interdiction' and 'battlefield air strike' measures including attacks on enemy concentration areas, petroleum, oil and fuel dumps, bridges, armour and railway marshalling yards were demonstrated. The aircraft comprised the Jaguars, MIG 27s and MI-35 helicopters. In combat support operations, military troops and vehicles were dropped onto the combat zone in a strategic airlift by MI 17 helicopters. ''These attacks were on 'non-precision' targets -- like troop or armour concentrations or rail marshalling yards -- where it makes no difference where exactly the bomb falls but damage is ensured. It is a waste of money to use precision-guided bombs, which are pretty expensive, on such targets. Where we did use them, you see the results. They were bang on target,'' he said.
Bureau Report