IAF's 'Iron Fist' to be held in Rajasthan on February 22

JAIPUR: Indian Air Force will conduct its first ever day-night exercise and will display its full combat capability during 'Iron Fist' show to be held at Pokhran firing ranges in Western sector in Rajasthan on February 22.

"Work at the new air strip on Pokhran range is operationally ready for this mega event which would be witnessed by President Pranab Mukherjee, Defence Minister A K Antony, Air and Defence attaches of many friendly countries," defence spokesperson S D Goswami said. 

Goswami said that pre-firing demonstration and rehearsal for the event has begun today and civilians have been asked to remain alert and careful during specific timings as a precautionary measure. 

The full force fire power rehearsals will take place on February 17 and 19 and the final demonstrations will take place on February 22 when more than 100 aircrafts will participate with equal numbers will be on standby, he said. 

Different aircrafts which included Sukhoi 30, Mirage 2000, Jaguar, Mig 27, MIG 21, attack helicopters, UAV and high-tech AWACS will display their potential, he said. 

The transport aircraft taking part in the exercise will include AN-32, Embraer, IL-76, IL-78 and C-130J while Mi-17V5 and Mi-35 attack helicopters will constitute the rotary wing ingredients. 

The Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) will be used to monitor the mammoth exercise, while an unmanned aerial vehicle will stream live video images of the targets set for destruction. The air defence activities will include firing of surface-to-air guided missiles, Goswami said. 

The IAF pilots will seek to destroy mock radar sites, tanks marshalling yards, terrorist camps, runway, BMP, blast pens and convoys among other targets during the exercise. 

Para-drop and troop inspection of Garudas (IAF's special force) and NSG to neutralise a mock terrorist camp will also be on display. 

"The exercise will also aid commanders and planners to attain better insight into the IAF's potential and the deployment capabilities of aerial weapons", he added.