The IAF conducts air exercises in North East amid LAC tensions with China

• Image Credit: Google

• Dec 15, 2022 | Dhupali Das

Meanwhile, the last of the 36 Rafale jets joined the force, further enhancing the IAF's firepower...

Digital Desk: Amid tensions with China in eastern Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, the India Air Force (IAF) started a massive exercise covering the northeastern region on Thursday. For the two-day major exercise, the IAF has deployed nearly all of its front-line fighter jets, transport aircraft, and attack helicopters.

The Air Force has reportedly sent Rafale, Sukhoi, Mirage 2000, C-130J Super Hercules planes, as well as other attack helicopters and military equipment, for the two-day drill, which comes amid a fresh spike in border tensions with China along the Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh.

The IAF has confirmed that the drill was planned in advance.

Meanwhile, the last of the 36 Rafale jets joined the force, further enhancing the IAF's firepower.

"FEET DRY! 'The Pack is Complete'. The last of the 36 IAF Rafales landed in India after a quick enroute sip from a UAE Air Force tanker," the IAF tweeted.

The IAF fighter jets have been patrolling the skies over Arunachal Pradesh since the conflict on December 9.

On December 9, the Indian Army and Chinese forces clashed in Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang sector. The brawls between the countries' military occurred during a 30-month border standoff in eastern Ladakh.

The clash occurred after the Chinese 'unilaterally' attempted to change the status quo in the Yangtse area of the Tawang sector. But the men of the Indian Army met them with fierce opposition.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on December 13 told Parliament that Indian forces had bravely stopped an effort by Chinese PLA troops to cross the LAC in the Yangtse area of Tawang Sector and unilaterally change the status quo.

"The Chinese attempt was contested by our troops in a firm and resolute manner," Singh said.