IAF to conduct biggest combat exercise from April 8

The Indian Air Force will carry out one of its biggest combat exercises from Sunday the 8th April to check its operational preparedness with a focus on dealing with any possible security challenges from China and Pakistan.

Defence officials said the two-week long exercise named 'Gaganshakti' will involve almost the entire assets of the IAF including its fighter squadrons and the main objective of the day and night drill will be to check war waging capability of the force.

The first phase of the



exercise will focus on northern borders and second phase will be carried out to check preparedness in case of a war-like situation along the western borders.

It will also focus on flexible use of airspace, joint maritime air operations with the Indian Navy, joint operations with the Indian Army, simulated combat search and rescue for effective extraction of downed aircrew behind enemy lines, mass casualty evacuation from highway among others.