IAF To Conduct 11-Day Mega Exercise Along China Border Amid Reports Of Xi Jinping Skipping Delhi's G20 Summit

In a significant show of strength, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to launch an 11-day mega exercise, codenamed 'Trishul', beginning September 4 along the borders with China and Pakistan.

The exercise will involve a comprehensive deployment of key frontline combat jets, attack helicopters, mid-air refueling aircraft, and other critical air assets. This comes against the backdrop of the ongoing three-year-long confrontation between Indian and Chinese troops, as well as strained relations with Pakistan.

Organized by the IAF's Western Command, the exercise aims to assess the combat capabilities of the force and evaluate various operational dimensions. This ambitious military maneuver is set to be one of the largest air exercises conducted by the Indian Air Force in recent times, according to sources within the defense and military establishment.

The exercise will see participation from a range of fighter jets, including Rafales, Su-30 MKIs, Jaguars, Mirage-2000s, MiG-29s, and MiG-21 Bisons. Attack helicopters, mid-air refuelers, AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft, and the transport fleet will also play a vital role in the drills.

Frontline bases in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand will be the focal points of the exercise, providing a strategic and realistic backdrop for the simulated operations. The culmination of the exercise will involve a thorough analysis of results at the Air Headquarters, where insights gained from the drills will be reviewed.

The timing of the 'Trishul' exercise takes on added significance due to reports surrounding Chinese President Xi Jinping's decision to skip the G2-Summit in Delhi later this month.