By Vishnu Makhijani, IANS
Pokhran (Rajasthan) : Showcasing their flying skills and pinpoint marksmanship, Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots Saturday pounded and blasted away at an array of targets with rockets, laser-guided bombs, missiles and front guns during a firepower demonstration at this sprawling range close to the Pakistan border.
“I am proud of our air warriors. I am sure the nation’s skies are safe,” Defence Minister A.K. Antony said after witnessing the hour-long demonstration.
Nearly 50 IAF aircraft participated in the event and were flown from airfields as far away as Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bikaner, Agra and Gwalior. They included the Sukhoi Su-30, MiG-27 and Mig-21 combat jets, the MiG-35 helicopter gunship, armed Mi-17-1V helicopter, and the An-32 transport modified to play the role of a bomber.
In addition, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) maintained a constant vigil during the proceedings, transmitting real time imagery and information on the tactical battle area (TBA) to enable the exercise commander take the necessary operational decisions.
The Pokhran range in the Rajasthan desert is home to the IAF’s largest air-to-ground weapons’ firing facility where pilots train in the delivery of heavy armament.
It is also a few minutes of flying time from Longewala, the famed location on the border with Pakistan where IAF pilots stopped a regiment of Pakistani T-59 tanks on Dec 5-6, 1971 with their devastating air-to-ground firing exploits on the now-retired Hawker Hunter aircraft that even today continue to inspire IAF pilots.
This sequence had featured as the climax of the Bollywood movie ‘Border’.
The firepower demonstration was conducted in three phases.
The first showcased the general capability and attributes of fighter aircraft. The second included ‘counter air operations’ against airfield installations by fighter aircraft and their endeavour to suppress “enemy” air defence capability.
The third phase included ‘counter surface force operations’ including battlefield interdiction and counter strikes against “enemy” forces.
Cabinet Secretary K.M Chandrasekhar, Defence Secretary Vijay Singh, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major and the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the South Western Air Command, Air Marshal K.D. Singh were among those who witnessed the demonstration.
Antony later interacted with the IAF personnel and their families at the Air Force Station Jaisalmer and paid homage at the Vijay Stambh that commemorates the valour of armed forces personnel during the Longewala battle.