Ex-Brazen Chariots set to roll as Indian Army and Air Force gear up for display of strength
14 Mar 2008
New Delhi: India's ministry of defence has invited foreign dignitaries and defence attaches from 60-65 countries to witness a massive exercise to be jointly conducted by the Indian Army and Air Force in the Rajasthan desert on 19 March. The exercise, code-named, 'Brazen Chariots,' will be conducted at the Pokhran field firing range in western Rajasthan.
According to an army spokesman, the exercise will put mechanized formations through their paces in a simulated, deep offensive scenario in desert terrain.
The exercise will see the Army's southern command and the Indian Air Force's (IAF) south-western command join hands to demonstrate synergies in air-land operations in a mechanised and digitised environment, with the basic focus being on launching swift, multiple-thrust offensives deep behind enemy lines.
The exercise will also provide foreign observers an opportunity to witness the military assets and capabilities of the Indian armed forces, including their latest weapon system acquisitions, the spokesman said.
State-of-the-art, missile firing, T-90 Bhishma tanks, all-weather air defence gun missile systems, Searcher unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) besides other electronic sensors and surveillance equipment will be fielded in the exercise.
The army will also mobilise over 37,000 troops from the 21 Corps.
The IAF would closely support surface forces through induction of airborne troops and provision of logistical support from IL-76 and AN-32 transporters even as frontline fighter aircraft, such as the Su-30MKI, Jaguar, MiG-27, MiG-21 Bison and attack helicopters unleash their firepower to devastating effect.
The exercise will also deploy a comprehensive communication and data linking systems incorporating Battlefield Surveillance System (BSS) and Force Multiplier Command Post (FMCP).
According to army spokesman, Major General Narula China, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar Bangladesh, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia are some of the countries sending their observers to for the exercise, along with those from US, UK, Canada and Nigeria.
