Central IAF to Conduct Annual Command-Level Exercise in Eastern Sector

The Indian Air Force (IAF) announced on Saturday that they will be conducting their annual command-level exercise in the eastern sector during the first week of February.

Known as Exercise Poorvi Akash, this annual command-level exercise of the IAF’s Eastern Air Command is taking place after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. The exercise will involve activating the Command’s fighters, helicopters, and transport assets for routine aerial drills, including joint exercises.

Following a clash between Indian Army and China’s PLA troops at Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang last month, the Eastern Air Command held a two-day exercise with limited fighter jets and other assets. Officials clarified that this exercise was for training purposes and was not related to the Tawang incident.

The upcoming exercise in February will be conducted on a larger scale to validate the IAF’s operational capabilities in the eastern sector. Headquartered in Shillong, the Eastern Air Command is one of the five operational commands of the Indian Air Force and is responsible for air operations in the eastern sector, including a 6300 km-long international boundary with China, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.