The Indian Air Force will carry out a mega exercise covering the Northeastern region early next month to check its combat readiness, amid a fresh spike in tension with China along the Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh.
The exercise 'Poorvi Aakash' is expected to involve the IAF's frontline fighter jets, including the Rafale and the Su-30MKI aircraft, and other assets deployed in the region, people familiar with the matter said on Saturday.
The Shillong-headquartered Eastern Air Command will carry out the exercise.
"Eastern Air Command will be conducting its annual Command-level exercise during the first week of February," said an Indian Air Force (IAF) official.
This exercise is being conducted after a gap of two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The exercise will involve the activation of the command's fighter, helicopter and transport assets towards a routine practice of aerial drills, including joint exercises," the official said.
There has been a fresh spike in tensions between India and China after troops from the two sides were engaged in the clash along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at Yangtse in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh on December 9.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in Parliament on December 13 that the Chinese troops tried to "unilaterally" change the status quo in the Yangtse area but the Indian Army compelled them to retreat by its firm and resolute response.
The incident took place amid the over 31-month border standoff between the two sides in eastern Ladakh.
All frontline air bases and some key Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) in the Northeast are set to be involved in the exercise.
The army and the IAF have been maintaining a high state of operational readiness along the LAC with China in the Arunachal Pradesh and the Sikkim sectors for over two years following the eastern Ladakh row.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Poll Rules Tweak Makes Electronic Records Harder To Get, Sparks Row
India, Australia Sign Deal For Air-To-Air Refuelling Of Military Aircraft Video: Air Force's MiG-29 Stalls In Flat Spin Seconds Before It Crashed Air Force's MiG-29 Crashes Near Agra, Pilot Ejects Safely Pics: Rahul Gandhi's Family Lunch At Iconic Delhi Restaurant Is Safe Car Enough? Volvo Crash That Killed CEO, Family Sparks Big Question "Nothing Short Of Nightmare": Woman Misses Life Event, Slams Air India Can Elon Musk Become US President? Donald Trump Says... Public Sector Hydropower Company Hiring For 118 Posts, Check Details Delhi's Air Quality Turns 'Severe' Despite GRAP-4 Restrictions Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.