Achieved more than our objective, says IAF Chief

New Delhi, April 23: The Indian Air Force effectively achieved relocation and re- balancing of its assets from one sector to another during a just concluded mega exercise, Air Chief Marshal B. S. Dhanoa on Monday said, hinting at its preparedness to deal with a two- front war.

The IAF carried out Gagan Shakti exercise — the biggest such drill in three decades — from April 8 to April 20 with a focus on borders with China and Pakistan.

“We achieved things beyond our stated objectives,” Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa told PTI in an interview.

He said all assets of IAF were deployed during the 13- day long exercise and that a total of 11,000 sorties were carried out by aircraft and choppers of the force.

“The overall objective of Gagan Shakti was fully achieved,” said Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa.

The first phase of the exercise focused on northern borders and second phase was aimed at checking preparedness in case of a war- like situation along the borders with Pakistan.

“We achieved relocation and re- balancing of assets from one sector to another in 48 hours,” he said.

The exercise also focused on flexible use of airspace, joint maritime air operations with the Indian Navy, joint operations with the Indian Army, simulated combat search and rescue for effective extraction of downed air crew behind enemy lines among others. The combat drill was carried out at a time China was showing increasing assertiveness along the borders with India and in strategically critical sea lanes in the region. The exercise covered all terrains including desert, high altitude areas like Ladakh, maritime sphere and almost all possible war scenarios were rehearsed on a real time basis. “We carried out the exercise thinking as if we are going to fight a war,” said a senior IAF official.

When asked about reports of IAF having carried out “strikes” in the Malacca Strait, the Air Chief categorically denied it.