Indian Army demonstrates air defence capability near Berhampur city

BERHAMPUR: A fire power demonstration was conducted by the Gopalpur based Army Air Defence College (AADC) near Berhampur. It was a display of might of air defence capability of the Indian Army. Around 270 officers of Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and friendly foreign countries witnessed this fire power demonstration. Staff and student officers of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington in Tamil Nadu took part in it as part of their study tour. A group of around 17 foreign delegates from defence forces of friendly countries like Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, Mangolia, Canada, United Kingdom, South Africa, Afganistan, Maldives, Bhutan Ethiopia, Tanzania and United States were also guests at this display of air defence strength of our Army. The demonstration also included visit of the delegates to various training facilities in the AADC. Lieutenant General Kuldip Singh, Commandant of the AADC was the chief host of the occasion. It was second demonstration of air defence fire power at the AADC. The last demonstration was held in January last year. The AADC authorities said they would make this display of fire an annual affair to be held in January every year.

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The missile systems which were fired included the OSA-AK weapon system, Strella 10 m missile, Igla-1M shoulder fired missile. It may be noted that the OSA-AK weapon system is a highly mobile, low altitude, short range tactical surface to air missile system. The anti air-craft guns demonstrated included Schilka weapon system, L/70 gun and ZU-23 mm twin barrel gun, which play a major role in the air defence of the Indian Army. The aerial target support was provided by state-of-the-art Inter Services Pilotless Target Aircraft, Lakshya produced indigenously by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The Lakshya is a remotely piloted high speed target drone system. Aeromodels of 26 cc and 7.5 cc, Air Target Imitator (ATI), Aeromodels with infra red flares were also used as targets. Para-barrels dropped from AN-32 aircraft of Indian air Force from a height of 5000 metres were also used for target practice.

Source: The Hindu, The Samaja, Dharitri