Indian Armed Forces to Conduct Mega ‘Bharat-Shakti’ Exercise in Jaisalmer

The three forces of India – Army, Navy, and Air Force – are going to conduct the biggest exercise called ‘Bharat-Shakti’ at Asia’s largest field firing range located in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan. PM Modi’s Likely Visit Prime Minister Narendra Modi may visit Pokhran on March 12, 2024, to witness this show of strength by the Indian Armed Forces.

Showcasing Combined Capabilities

• Bharat Shakti is a significant tri-Service exercise showcasing the firepower of the Army, Air Force, and Navy.
• The three Indian Services will showcase the capability of indigenously manufactured weapons and platforms during the exercise.
• Only indigenous weapon systems developed in India will be included in this exercise.

Participation of Top Military Leaders Top officers of the three forces, including Chief of Defense Staff General Anil Chauhan, will participate in the Bharat-Shakti exercise to be held on March 12 in Pokhran.

Showcasing Indigenous Capabilities

• The concept of a self-reliant India will be demonstrated during this exercise.
• Indigenous defense platforms and network-based systems developed in India will be tested.
• The exercise will reveal the capability of indigenous weapons and equipment.

Major Indigenous Weapons Some of the major indigenous equipment to be included in the ‘Bharat Shakti’ exercise are:

• Tejas fighter plane
• K-9 artillery gun
• Indigenous drones
• Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launchers
• Short-range missiles

Testing Communication Networks

• The capability of indigenous communication and network systems will be tested during the Bharat-Shakti exercise.
• It will assess whether enemy countries can hack these systems in case of war.

Joint Operations The exercise will provide an opportunity for all three armed forces to work together, as they generally operate differently.

Emphasis on Indigenization

• The Indian Army has become 100 percent indigenous.
• The Indian Government is now emphasizing on indigenizing the Indian Navy and Air Force as well.
• The Central Government aims to utilize indigenous technology in submarine construction and aircraft engine manufacturing to achieve self-reliance.