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Exercise Udara Shakti 2024 |
Why in the News?
- Recently the Indian Air Force (IAF) team returned to India after participating in Exercise Liberal Power 2024 in Malaysia.
What is Exercise Udara Shakti 2024?
- It is a joint air military exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) held from 05 to 09 August 2024.
- Location: Kuantan, Malaysia.
Objectives:
- To enhance interoperability between the air forces of India and Malaysia.
- To familiarise the crews with each other’s operational protocols, to enable seamless coordination in combat operations.
Participants
- It involved Su-30MKI fighter jets of the IAF and Su-30MKM fighter jets of the RMAF.
Significance:
- This exercise contributes to deepening defense cooperation between India and Malaysia.
- Enhances the operational readiness of both air forces in the Indo-Pacific region, a region of strategic importance.
- Establishes a strong working relationship between the Indian and Malaysian Air Forces, improving readiness for joint operations.
- Technical experts from the IAF and RMAF participated in discussions on aircraft maintenance. This exchange of technical knowledge allowed them to explore best practices for maintaining their respective aircraft.
- Through collaboration, the teams identified best maintenance practices for their aircraft, which will improve their readiness for future missions.
Su-30MKI Fighter Jet (India)
- Developed by: Sukhoi (Russia), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) manufactures it under license in India.
Key Features:
- Combat Role: Air superiority, ground attack, and strategic bombing.
- Engine: Powered by two AL-31FP turbofan engines.
- Weapon System: Armed with air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, bombs, and anti-ship missiles.
- Radar: Phased array radar for long-range target detection and tracking.
- Operational Range: 3,000 km (with refueling capability).
- Significance: The backbone of the Indian Air Force (IAF), is vital for maintaining the region’s air dominance and defense capabilities.
Su-30MKM Fighter Jet (Malaysia)
- Developed by Sukhoi (Russia) for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).
Key Features:
- Avionics: It incorporates French, Russian, and South African avionics systems.
- Weapon System: Similar to Su-30MKI, equipped with advanced air-to-air missiles, precision-guided munitions, and bombs.
- Operational Range: Capable of long-range missions with in-flight refueling.
- Significance: Strengthens the air capabilities of the RMAF and plays a vital role in ensuring national defense.
Source – PIB