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The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted a combat training exercise at Umiam Lake in Shillong, Meghalaya, on Saturday.
The exercise showcased multiple aircraft, helicopters, para jumpers, and specialized operations to enhance interoperability with the Indian Army Special Forces and the Navy. The training exercise included Combat Rubberised Raiding Craft drops, para jumps, and helocasting (jumping from an aircraft into water) using An-32 and C-130 aircraft. The exercises were witnessed by National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets in Shillong, who observed the operations firsthand. Sharing details of the training on X, the IAF wrote, "IAF executed combat operations training at Umiam Lake, Shillong, featuring Combat Rubberised Raiding Craft drops, para jumps, and helocasting from An-32, C-130 aircraft, and Mi-17 helicopters." https://x.com/IAF_MCC/status/1898387170823479772 "These missions enhance interoperability with Indian Army Special Forces and were witnessed and admired by NCC cadets in Shillong," added the IAF. Earlier on March 5, sources mentioned that a high-level committee of the Defence Ministry accepted the IAF's requirement for getting new multirole fighter aircraft for the service to enhance its fighting capabilities. The acceptance of the IAF requirement is learnt to be part of the report submitted by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh to the Defence Minister on 'Capability Enhancement of IAF'. The sources said that, as per the discussions during the Committee meetings, the Indian Air Force would prepare the statement of case for acquiring capabilities, and the Defence Ministry would work towards getting the required approvals at different levels in a time-bound manner. The committee submitted the recommendations to the government when the US was pushing for selling its single-engine F-35 fifth-generation fighter aircraft while the Russian side was offering its Su-57 fifth-generation fighter. The Committee has identified key thrust areas and made recommendations for implementation in the short, medium and long term so as to achieve the desired capability enhancement goals of the lAF in an optimal manner. (ANI)
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