IAF assets ready to spit fire during Iron Fist

New Delhi, March 17: Twenty-two types of platforms and weapons systems from the hangars of Indian Air Force (IAF) will be out on action during Iron Fist Fire Power Demonstration (FPD) on March 18 at Rajasthan's Pokhran firing range.

An official spokesperson said on Thursday night that the IAF would showcase its capability delivering fire power both by day as well as by night.

In attendance will be President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Cabinet ministers, bureaucrats and a host of diplomats.

Home-grown metal birds Light Combat Aircraft Tejas and Light Combat Helicopter are expected to be the star performers during the show.

"Tejas will drop a Laser Guided Bomb and fire an air-to-air missile, while LCH will fire rocket firing," says the spokesperson.

IAF says frontline fighter aircraft including Sukhoi 30, Mirage 2000, Jaguar, MiG-29, attack helicopters, remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) and AWACS would display their potential during the show.

The transport stream would include AN-32, Embraer, IL-76, IL-78 and C-130J, while medium lift helicopters Mi-17, Mi-17 1V Mi-17V5 and attack helicopters Mi-25, Mi-35 would also strut their stuff.

"The event comprises six packages depicting six themes in which more than 180 fighters, transport aircraft and helicopters are participating," says the spokesperson.

Highlights of fire power show

* Flypast by Tiger Moth along with MiG-21, MiG-27, MiG-29, Su-30 MKI.

* Indigenously developed Airborne Early Warning and Control System aircraft will fly next followed by a synchronized weapon delivery demonstration comprising precision based bombing at simulated targets by Mirage-2000, Su-30 MKI, MiG-27 and Jaguar.

* Fly-past by flight refueling aircraft IL-78 FRA along with two Su-30 MKI demonstrating endurance missions.

* As night draws, a number of targets would be engaged by fighters, transport aircraft and helicopters using rockets and bombs.

OneIndia News