GUWAHATI: Eastern Air Command (EAC) has announced its annual Command level exercise – Ex Poorvi Akash – slated to run from October 30 to November 5. This extensive drill, aimed at testing the application of air power in its varied roles, will be conducted both during the day and night.
In a collaborative effort, the exercise will also see joint operations with the Eastern Command (EC) of the Indian Army, particularly focusing on manoeuvres in the challenging mountainous terrain.
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“This exercise will activate the entire Eastern Sector, with IAF Garuds, the elite special forces of the Indian Air Force, executing special missions,” said a statement issued by the PRO Defence, Guwahati, on Tuesday. The joint operations will also involve Air Defence assets of both the Indian Army and the IAF, creating realistic battle scenarios. In a significant display of aerial might, major IAF fleets will participate, accompanied by special mission aircraft.
The announcement comes at a time when Defence Minster Rajnath Singh is on a two-day visit to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to review of India’s military preparedness along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
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During his visit to Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday, Minister Singh took a tour of several forward posts in the state. His visit to Bum-La stood out, where he engaged in a heart-to-heart with the stationed soldiers. Commending their valour and dedication, he remarked, “The nation swells with pride seeing your unwavering commitment in guarding our borders, especially under such challenging circumstances.”
Singh further delved into India’s defence strides, highlighting the nation’s push towards indigenous defence equipment production.
In a significant mention of the shift from defence imports to domestic production, Singh noted the pivotal role of foreign companies, which are now collaborating and manufacturing in India. Drawing attention to the nation’s increasing defence exports, Singh said, “From a modest Rs 1,000 crore in 2014, we are today exporting defence equipment worth thousands of crores.”
