IndiaPost.com - IAF, Army showcase military might in wargames

POKHRAN: In one of the biggest war maneuvers in recent years, the Army and the Indian Air Force showcased their combat prowess, by effectively engaging latest array of weaponry in a joint air-land battle setting just 75 kilometers from Indo-Pak border in Thar desert in Rajasthan.

With diplomats and military attaches from 59 countries in attendance, the exercise code-named 'Brazen Chariots' had Army's frontline T-90 tanks, SMERCH long-range missiles, spy drones, latest air defense gun systems, and fighter jets in action at the Pokhran field firing ranges here.

Voicing happiness over the synergy achieved by Army and IAF during the simulated land and air exercise, Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor said all the objectives that "we had set for ourselves were fairly well achieved. "I think it's gone up excellently well.

The aim was to try out the modern weapons and their efficacy. And also to carry out a bit of synergy with functioning of the air force and the army together and see the effect," General Kapoor said after the exercise.

The exercise saw participation by the Army's Southern Command and IAF's South Western Air Command. Asked if the exercise was aimed at sending any message to the foreign observers, Gen Kapoor said, "It is not aimed at anyone, we are not trying to send out any message through this exercise.

"The foreign observers are here to see what the Indian Army and the IAF are capable of," the General added. Synergy between air and ground forces marked the Corps level exercises with IAF fighters like SU-30 MKI, deep penetration MiG-27s, upgraded MiG-21 Bisons and attack helicopters coordinating with their counterparts on the ground.

Over 37,000 personnel from army and IAF took part in the fire and maneuver combat exercise manning army's tank and artillery units and IAF's frontline combat jets unleashing their firepower to devastating effect on the enemy targets.

For most of the over 100 foreign observers, the exercise, providing an opportunity to witness Indian Armed Force's military assets and capabilities, was more than impressive. "The synergy between the ground forces and the aerial attack was perfect. It was a well executed performance," a US official who wished not to be named said.

In a sign of growing proximity in military-to-military relations between New Delhi and Beijing, a strong Chinese military observer group also witnessed the exercises. "I found the exercise impressive. It was a well planned exercise," Chinese Defense Attache in New Delhi Li Chao said.

Pakistan was not invited to the exercise as the country has not yet signed on one of the military confidence building measures of exchanging military observers.