Apaches, Heron Drones And More: IAF And Army Conduct Joint Exercise Along LAC With China In Central Sector

The Indian Army and Air Force has concluded a joint exercise along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China in the central sector.

The IAF said in the statement, "the IAF recently concluded a joint exercise with the Indian Army in the central sector. Multiple combat assets were employed to simulate realistic combat situations for all participants".

According to the IAF statement, the exercise was conducted somewhere in the central sector, opposite Uttarakhand along the LAC.

Newly acquired from the US, 'AH-64E Apache' attack helicopters, were also part of the exercise where the helicopter demonstrated their close air support (CAS) capabilities in support of the assaulting paratroopers.

Armed with anti-tank Hellfire missiles, 70mm rockets and M230 30mm chain gun, the helicopter is capable for destroying entire armoured columns.

Heron, Medium Altitiude Long Endurance (MALE) drone, also took part in the exercise, providing vital air surveillance to the assault troops.

The IAF tweeted, "Another outing into the Indian Ocean Region! This time, with IAF Su-30s flying nearly eight hours, on a different axis. Both Seaboards covered".

This eight-hour long sortie follows another six-hour long sortie by four Rafale fighter jets which happened just a week ago (31 May).

The IAF has then tweeted, "Four IAF Rafales flew a long range mission for over six hours into the IOR. The aircraft “fought” their way through a large force engagement en route to their Weapon Release Point.... Pickle on time, weapon on target-the IAF way!".

These long-range strike missions by Rafales and Sukhoi-30 demonstrated the IAF's capabilites to strike enemy ships deep in the Indian Ocean Region.