Trishul Military Exercise : Preparations are underway for a substantial training exercise called ‘Trishul’ by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the northern part of India, near the borders with China and Pakistan. This training is scheduled to take place from September 4 to 14 and will coincide with the G20 Summit happening in New Delhi from September 8 to 10.

Training Exercise ‘Trishul’ in Northern India:

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) is conducting a major training exercise called ‘Trishul’ along the borders with China and Pakistan.
• The exercise is planned from September 4 to 14, 2023, and will span the northern sector, including Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Punjab.

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Participating Aircraft and Assets:

• The exercise involves major fleets of fighter aircraft, including Rafale, Mirage 2000, and Su-30MKIs.
• It also includes heavy-lift transport aircraft and helicopters, such as the Chinooks and Apache.
• The Garud Special Forces unit is participating in the drills.
• The exercise encompasses a wide range of vital aerial resources and combat capabilities.

Objective and Scope:

• ‘Trishul’ aims to evaluate the combat prowess and operational readiness of the Indian Air Force.
• The exercise involves various areas and elements of air power.
• It is one of the most substantial air maneuvers conducted by the IAF in recent times.

Context and Significance:

• The exercise occurs amid a prolonged standoff between Indian and Chinese troops along the border.
• It also takes place in the context of India’s strained relations with Pakistan.
• The IAF is preparing for the G20 Summit in New Delhi on September 9 and 10.

Deployment and Organization:

• The exercise is organized by the IAF’s Western Command and involves assets from other commands.
• Surface-to-air defense weapon systems, including the Akash missile, are being activated.
• Counter-drone systems are in place to address potential aerial threats.

This exercise is expected to be one of the most substantial air maneuvers conducted by the IAF in recent history. It involves the deployment of critical assets from the Western Air Command and resources from other commands, making it a comprehensive and extensive training event.

Significantly, ‘Trishul’ occurs against the backdrop of a prolonged standoff between Indian and Chinese troops and amidst India’s persistently strained relations with Pakistan. These preparations align with the exercise’s coinciding with the G20 Summit scheduled for September 8 to 10 in New Delhi.