*NEW DELHI- *The Indian Air Force carried out an air-to-air refuellingdisplay in what is seen as an attempt to showcase its reach andpreparedness. A video showed pilots performing the mid-air refuelling of aSukhoi fighter jet, a show of strength, during the Gagan Shakti 2018link>exercises.
A Sukhoi Su-30 jet was refuelled twice, on its way towards Lakshadweep aswell as during the return flight after the mission.
Indian Air Force has mobilised 1,100 aircrafts, including fighters,transports and helicopters for Gagan Shakti 2018. Close to 4,000 sortieshave been planned through the day and night across the length and breadthof the country. Simulated strike missions by IAF fighters also extend deepinto the Indian Ocean, NDTV has reported.
The air-to-air refuelling methodologylink>practicedby IAF pilots requires exceptional flying skills as the receiving aircrafthas to accurately insert the receptacle probe into the basket shaped droguetrailing behind the fuel tanker aircraft.
Gagan Shakti 2018: Both aircrafts have to maintain extremely accurateflying parameters during mid-air refuelling.During the process of such refuelling, both aircrafts have to maintainextremely accurate flying parameters.
Gagan Shakti 2018 will revolve around two phases. Phase 1 will seeoperations along the western border for which the government of Pakistanhas been given prior intimation. This phase merges seamlessly into the nextone along the northern border and will also see operations at high-altitudeair landing grounds which have been constructed with an eye on Chinesedefences on the Tibet front.
The key to the overall success of Gagan Shakti will be maintainability ofthe fleet or the ability of the IAF to successfully launch as many aircraftas possible, whenever they are required with minimal failure rates inbetween missions.WATCH VIDEO: link