The Indian Air Force is carrying out Exercise Aakraman (Attack) over a large area in the central sector involving its mainstream fighter aircraft fleets led by the Rafale combat aircraft.
The Indian Air Force operates two squadrons of the Rafale aircraft which are based out of Ambala and Hashimara in West Bengal.
"The cutting-edge technology fighter jets are carrying out complex missions involving ground attack and electronic warfare drills," defence sources told ANI.
"The assets of the Indian Air Force have been moved from multiple airbases, including from the eastern side," they added.
The Indian Air Force has been practising for complex ground attack missions for operations in different terrains, including plains and mountainous areas, the sources said.
The Indian Air Force also holds an edge over its adversaries in the south Asian region with the inductions of Meteor air to air missiles and induction of long range high speed low drag missiles like the Rampage and Rocks.
The exercise is taking place at a time when tensions between India and Pakistan have risen after the Pahalgam attack.
The exercise is being closely monitored by the Air Headquarters. Tactical Air Combat and Development Establishment (TACDE) pilots of the Indian Air Force, the best aviators of the air force, are taking part in the exercise. TACDE pilots are often referred to as the 'Top Gun' pilots of the Indian Air Force.
The Indian Air Force was used to carry out the post-Pulwama attack strikes inside Pakistan in February 2019.
The Indian Air Force had used the Mirage 2000 fighter jets in 2019 but has indicted many force multipliers like the S-400 air defence system, which can be the very effective against the airborne early warning and control aircraft of the adversaries.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
