IAF Conducts Air Strikes With BrahMos-equipped Su-30 Jet During Gaganshakti-2018

The Indian Air Force (IAF) concluded the second phase of its mega war-drill, Gagan Shakti-2018 with successful target strikes by the Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter jet fitted with BrahMos missile in the Malacca Strait on Monday.

Malacca strait is the entry point Chinese military is likely to enter the Indian Ocean region.

The aircraft also carried out a sortie of over 2,000 kilometers where they were provided mid-air refuelling by Ilyushin 78 tankers and direction by the Airborne Early Warning Systems (AWACS), India Today reported citing sources. The Sukhoi -30 MKI launched BrahMos missiles which showcased the capability of the aircraft to destroy enemy’s fighter jets from a distance of 300 km.

The Gagan Shakti 2018 which was concluded yesterday was the biggest war-exercise carried out by the IAF. The two-week long exercise was conducted in two phases along the borders with Pakistan and China. Around 1,100 IAF aircrafts participated in the exercise. India’s Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa also reviewed the exercise.

Sorties were carried out across the entire length and breadth of the country. Mid-air refueling, evacuation of causalities from border to military hospitals, Advance Landing Ground Operations are performed during the exercise. The main aim of this exercise was to check the war preparedness of the force. Joint maritime operations were also conducted by the IAF in coordination with the Indian Army and the Indian Navy.