The exercise is being jointly conducted by one of the desert formations of the Indian Army in the sector. The Army-IAF exercise will put to test an array of their latest weapon system acquisitions, including the state-of-the-art missile firing tanks T-90 (Bhishma), all-weather Air Defence Gun Missile Systems, Searcher Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), besides other electronic sensors and surveillance equipment.

The IAF would closely support the surface forces with the induction of air-borne troops, provide logistical support while its frontline fighter aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, Jaguar, MiG-27, MiG-21 Bison and armed helicopters, would unleash their firepower to the devastating effect. The synergy with the IAF would highlight the shape of future operations, which would be joint and seamless, a defence release said.

A host of foreign dignitaries and defence attaches of friendly foreign countries will witness the exercise that is aimed at putting the mechanised formations through the paces in a simulated, deep offensive scenario in a desert terrain.

The combat exercise will also include the deployment of a comprehensive communication and data-linking systems incorporating Battlefield Surveillance System (BSS) and Force Multiplier Command Post (FMCP). The exercise will challenge the military leadership at various levels. as their ability to synergise the application of the state-of-the-art weapon platforms towards achieving optimum results aimed at causing pre-emption, disruption and dislocation of enemy forces will be tested.