Indian Army to hold exercise in Rajasthan Desert

New Delhi, Mar 03 : Indian Army's Southern Command is planning to hold one of the largest exercises named Dakshin Shakti in the deserts of Rajasthan in the first fortnight of this month.

Over the past few years, India has undertaken a massive drive to modernize its Armed Forces. Exercise Dakshin Shakti will see the Southern Command of the Army and the South Western Command of the Air force coming together to validate the land doctrine in a mechanized and network centric environment.

The army would be testing and integrating its newly acquired weapon systems as well as its reconnaissance and surveillance systems.

Army's formations will be exercised through the full spectrum of simulated operations in desert terrain. The two-sided exercise, to be conducted over a 10-day period, will have some elements depicting opposing forces to add realism in planning and execution.

Swift mechanized manoevres with airbone and heliborne troops is also likely to be practiced. A large number of Infantry, Mechanized Infantry, Armoured and Artillery units with combat and logistical support units have already rehearsed their respective tactical level operations at battalion and brigade levels and would now come together to execute their operational tasks as part of operational level formations.

The Air force with its precision-guided munitions and strategic capability, will attempt to ensure the interdiction of opposing air effort and their strategic resources.

The Indian Army is geared for the future wars and is adopting latest doctrinal thoughts into its operational capability.

Improved mobility, inventory management techniques and the extensive use of information technology has ensured that the logistical elements keep pace with the fast paced and asymmetric battlefield that is likely to be the future in warfare.

ANI