Coping up with falling numbers of fighter jets, the Indian Air Force on Friday literally set the vast dusty stretch of Pokhran in Rajasthan on fire showcasing its capability to drop ordnance.

Iron Fist 2016, which is held every two years, had president Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the audience. They witnessed IAF's ability to strike the enemy in the day, dawn and dusk.

The IAF put together a compliment of 180 aircraft from fighters to transporters and helicopters to demonstrate their ability to execute various aspects of air combat.

Through their courageous manoeuvre, fighter pilots showed transformationof the Air Force, air defence and combat skills of its personnel in carrying out multi-faceted operations. The grand event began with the showing IAF's journey over eight decades, with the aircraft of 1930s era - Tiger Moth. Then came a superb fly past by seven aircraft including MiG and Sukhoi. It was followed by tactical maneuver by a team of four 'Surya Kiran' aircraft. The sound of precision based bombings at simulated targets by Mirage-2000, Sukhoi 30, MiG-27 and Jaguar astounded all audience.

From top of the line Su-30 MKI fighters to Mirage 2000 and Jaguars - the array of fighters took part in the live fire demonstration. The homemade Light Combat Aircraft Tejas displayed its twin role ability by firing a laser guided bomb followed by an air to air missile. For the first time, the air defence system of the Akash missile was displayed. Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, Chairman Chief of Staff Committee and the Chief of the Air Staff said that the IAF moves ahead on its transformation path despite certain constraints, maintaining a high combat potential for meeting challenges.

"The IAF has flagged concerns about the shortage of fighter jets and the process for the acquisition of 36 French Rafale fighter aircraft is still underway. The government is hopeful that the deal will be sealed through," he said. The IAF for the first time has publicly accepted that the current force levels are inadequate to handle the two-front operation as enshrined in the new doctrine of the armed forces.

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