IAF Readies for ‘Gagan Shakti-2024’: Showcasing Air Power and Preparedness

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is gearing up to demonstrate its formidable prowess in the upcoming ‘Gagan Shakti-2024’ exercise, scheduled from April 1 to 10, encompassing all air force bases and assets across the nation. This exercise, last conducted in 2018, saw the IAF executing over 11,000 sorties over two phases, transitioning swiftly from the western to the eastern front in less than 48 hours.

With an aim to assess readiness for potential two-front conflicts with China and Pakistan, ‘Gagan Shakti’ will simulate various scenarios, including deep strikes, air dominance, maritime operations, and air defense, ensuring preparedness for rapid and intense warfare.

Preceding this, the IAF recently conducted the ‘Vayu Shakti-2024’ exercise on February 17 at the Pokhran air-to-ground range near Jaisalmer. This exercise showcased frontline assets like Rafale fighter jets, Mirage-2000s, Sukhoi-30 MKIs, Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA), Jaguars, Chinook heavy-lift helicopters, Apache attack helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, and surface-to-air missile systems.

Following ‘Vayu Shakti,’ the integrated tri-services ‘Bharat Shakti’ exercise on March 12 demonstrated the military’s strategy to leverage indigenous capabilities, witnessed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Notably, the Tejas LCA Mk-1 encountered its first crash near Jaisalmer during this exercise.

Additionally, the exercise featured various weapons and systems, including the light combat helicopter Prachand, armed advanced light helicopters, T-90 tanks, BMP-II infantry combat vehicles, drone-launched precision-guided munitions, unmanned aerial vehicles, rockets, air defense weapons, and artillery guns.

Looking ahead, the IAF plans to host the ‘Tarang Shakti’ mega exercise later this year, bringing together 12 global air forces to enhance interoperability and military cooperation. This exercise will witness participation from fighter jets, transport aircraft, helicopters, mid-air refuelers, airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft, and unmanned systems, emphasizing India’s commitment to international engagement and collective security efforts.