Pokhran: Homegrown aircraft roared in the air while indigenously built battle tanks and artillery guns spewed fire dominating the arid terrain of Pokhran during a mega exercise on Tuesday, but perhaps the loudest roar was of an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ marching ahead on the path of self-reliance in defence.
As awestruck spectators watched the ‘Bharat Shakti’ exercise in Rajasthan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Pokhran has become witness to the trinity of India’s ‘aatmanirbharta’, belief and self-pride.
Roars of LCA Tejas and ALH Mk-IV filled the air while Main Battle Tank Arjun, K-9 Vajra, and T-90 Bhishma tanks, and Dhanush and Sharang artillery gun systems ruled the firing ranges on the ground. Pinaka rocket system in action drew huge cheers from the crowd.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari and Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma also attended the nearly 50-minute tri-services firepower and manoeuvre exercise, a first-of-its-kind on such a scale.
The spectators also included several foreign service attaches from different countries, local civilians and defence personnel and some lawmakers of the region.
The exercise showcased India’s military prowess and integrated multi-domain operations of the three services and the “shock and awe” impact that the armed forces seek to achieve in an operational situation with manoeuvre and fighting capabilities.
PTI