IAF ends combat exercise at Pokhran

The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Sunday concluded its week-long exercise at the Pokhran Field Firing Range, showcasing its combat readiness and counter-drone warfare capabilities, officials said. According to defence sources in Rajasthan, the exercise, Rotor Clapp-III, was conducted on the theme of ‘Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (Counter-UAS)’. Multiple helicopter units of the IAF took part in it. The primary objective of the drill was to test operational concepts against emerging aerial threats and strengthen combat preparedness in an evolving battlefield environment, sources said.

The exercise focused on enhancing the operational capabilities of the IAF’s helicopter fleet to counter growing threats posed by unmanned aerial systems (UAS). It also assessed strategies, techniques and procedures for integrated helicopter operations under simulated real combat conditions.

Almost all major helicopter platforms of the IAF participated and demonstrated their combat capabilities through a series of tactical missions.

These included precision strikes, battlefield support, reconnaissance, troop insertion, casualty evacuation and coordinated operations to counter both aerial and ground-based threats, sources said. The drill provided aircrew and operational units an opportunity to test and validate mission planning, inter-unit coordination, rapid response and joint functioning under near-war conditions.

Special emphasis was laid on ensuring seamless coordination between different helicopter platforms in the challenging desert terrain, they said. The Pokhran Field Firing Range, one of India’s major military training areas, provided an ideal environment for conducting live operational exercises.

The conclusion of Rotor Clapp-III reaffirms the Indian Air Force’s commitment to maintaining a high level of operational readiness and adapting to emerging security challenges, the sources said.