Category: Events

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244: Vayu Shakti (Fire Power Demo)

 

VAYU SHAKTI: CAPABILITY-BASED IAF EXERCISE

 

Exercise Vayu Shakti was to be held on 07 Mar 22 at Pokharan air to ground range near Jaisalmer air force station.

Unfortunately it has been called off.

This exercise is a display of the capabilities of the Indian Air Force.

 

Curtain Raiser

https://youtu.be/G5J2yUDMZDk

 

 Display of IAF Capability. It is a display of IAF’s capability to influence events on the ground (in a war). It showcases   the ability to hit hard, hit fast and hit with precision, hit during the day, hit during night, and hit under adverse weather conditions.

  • Display of capability of full-spectrum operations.
  • Display of ability to destroy targets.
  • Display of ability for punitive action.
  • Display of aerial platforms (Fighters, helicopters, Combat support ac. AWACS and Unmanned platforms.
  • Display of indigenous equipment.
  • Display of a variety of weapons and their effect.
  • Display of precision capability.
  • Display of lethality.
  • Display of ability for quick insertion and extrication of troops & special forces.
  • Display of ground attack and air defence capability.
  • Display of HADR capability.

 

Long Association

I was lucky to have been associated with this exercise, for a long time and at various ranks, while in the IAF. 

  • As a junior officer participated in the firepower demonstration exercises, firing weapons from Mig-21 and Jaguar aircraft.
  • Commanded Air force Station Jaisalmer (2005-06). As Station commander was deeply involved with the conduct of a joint Army and Air Force exercise “Ex Desert Strike”, that took place in Nov 2005.
  • As DGAO was involved with the conduct and review of the exercise Vayu shakti 2016.
  • As VCAS was involved and reviewed exercise Vayu shakti 2019.

 

Vayu Shakti 2019: (Trying and Tiring Times)

Vayu Shakti 2019 was conducted in Feb 2019, during very tense times, post terrorist attack at Pulwama. 40 of our brave hearts were martyred during these attacks. Feeling of sorrow, disgust and anger were prevalent, not only amongst the military but entire nation. On 14 Feb 2019, I (as VCAS) was at Jaisalmer reviewing the progress of preparation for exercise Vayu Shakti. On receiving the news of terrorist attack, I headed back to Delhi. The next few days were depressingly busy, with overseeing the staff coordinating the last journey and last rights of the martyrs.

 

Also the process of decision making for appropriate response to the ghastly incident was also in progress. Use of Air power was chosen for the first time and planning for “Operation Bandar” against the terrorist camp at Balkot commenced.  Decision was also taken that the all planned activities would continue as planned. Even other activities like Aero India air show (20 – 24 Feb 19) and planned inauguration of the War memorial (on 25 Feb 19), with fly past were conducted as planned.  

Op Staff at Air HQ had many a sleepless nights during those two weeks.

In this back drop the exercise Vayu Shakti was conducted and was a great success as expected.

 

Press Conference: Feb 2019

Three years have flown by.
Questions and Answers are still relevant.

 

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240: BALAKOT REVISITED: 26 FEB 22

DISCUSSION ON SANSAD TV

 

Bottom Line

Air Power is a potent and effective tool for statecraft and national security.

High deterrence value is essential.

 

Question

Are we doing enough to increase the deterrence value?

 

Suggestions and value additions are most welcome

 

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239: RUSSIA – UKRAINE CRISIS BLOWS UP: 24 FEB 22

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin orders Military Operation in Eastern Ukraine

Vladimir Putin has ordered a military operation in eastern Ukraine. Putin made the announcement in a televised speech.

Speech Highlights

  • Putin warned other countries that any attempt to interfere with the Russian action would lead to “consequences they have never seen.”
  • He blamed Ukraine for it and held the Ukrainian regime responsible for the bloodshed.
  • He also accused the US and its allies of ignoring Russia’s demand to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO.
  • He asked all Ukrainian servicemen to lay down arms and ensured their safe passage from the zone of combat.
  • Putin demanded that Ukraine accept Russian sovereignty over Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, and renounce its ambition of joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

 

Ukraine claims a full-scale invasion by Russia

Russia has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine and is targeting cities with weapons strikes, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in a tweet.

Ukraine reported rocket attacks on military facilities throughout Ukraine and that Russian troops had landed in the southern port cities of Odessa and Mariupol. Residents also reported hearing of artillery fire in the city’s eastern suburbs.

Explosions were heard before dawn in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv and the eastern port city of Mariupol, shortly after Russia’s President Vladimir Putin announced an operation to “demilitarise” the country.

 Cyber Warfare. Ukraine earlier had reported that her banks and government ministry websites were hit by a cyber-attack, and it blamed Russia for it.

 

Russia claims that separatists have asked for help against Ukraine

According to Russia, Separatist leaders in eastern Ukraine have appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin for help in repelling the military aggression of the Kyiv regime.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said that Putin had not responded to a request to speak by phone. He said Ukraine posed no threat to Russia but would defend itself if attacked.

 

Clash of the Titans

President Joe Biden has called the move “an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces”. He accused Russia of choosing a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering, He held Russia responsible for the death and destruction this attack would bring. He declared that the US and its allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way.

 

Market in a Turmoil

Markets have taken a hit after these developments. Oil prices have soared past $100 for the first time in more than seven years. Russian military operations have resulted in carnage on Dalal Street. Stocks are bleeding in the red and investors have lost up to Rs 10 lakh crore in market value. Stocks also fell across Asia, with equities declining in Australia, Japan, and South Korea.

 

Effect on India

The crude oil market, as well as gas prices, are set to spiral further and put pressure on major oil importers like India. Soaring global crude oil prices pose a challenge to India’s financial stability.

Evacuation. AI is operating special AI flights to evacuate Indian nationals, mainly students from Kyiv. Two flights have evacuated 254 and 182 nationals respectively. Ukraine has shut down its airspace for all civilian flights. Any more evacuation flights will depend on the conditions in that country.

 

Reactions

The European Union, U.K., and the U.S. have all imposed fresh sanctions on Russia U.S.

President Joe Biden has announced expanded sanctions, with penalties hitting the builder of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and Russia’s corporate leadership.

Ukraine has requested an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council.

The EU has strongly urged Russia to refrain from any further escalatory actions.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has made a plea to Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop the war ‘in the name of humanity and to pull back the Russian troops.

 

Question

Will this escalate to a bigger war with more countries getting sucked in the conflict?

 

Suggestions and value additions are most welcome

 

Links to previous three posts on the subject:

UKRAINE CRISIS: A GAME OF DOG AND THE BONE

RUSSIA – UKRAINE CRISIS ESCALATES (24 FEB 22)

Latest on Ukraine-Russia Conflict (23 Feb 22)

 

 

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References and credits

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