Rafales, Sukhoi-30s, Mirage 2000s gear up for Indian Air Force war games along border; Pakistan set to shutdown airspace

A large-scale Indian Air Force exercise is expected to be held on Wednesday and Thursday along the India-Pakistan border.

 

According to media reports, a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) has been issued to ensure that no civilian aircraft strays into the airspace during the drills.

 

“The exercise is scheduled to take place in Rajasthan near the International Border, is part of the IAF’s regular operational readiness drills. It could be between two or three commands of IAF," The Hindu quoted an official as saying.

 

India's Rafale, Sukhoi-30, and Mirage 2000 among other fighter jets are expected to take part in the high intensity drill, which will be led by the South Western Air Command.

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Meanwhile, Pakistan too has announced closure of selected air traffic routes for two days next week due to unspecified operational reasons.

 

The Pakistan Airports Authority,  in a NOTAM said, the "selected routes would remain closed for air traffic on both July 22 and 23 from 5:15 UTC to 8:15 UTC."

 

The selected routes within "Karachi and Lahore Flight Information Regions are not available from ground level to unlimited altitude due to operational reasons, PAA added. 

 

It indicated that the routes will be closed to "all aircraft regardless of altitude due to operational issues, which could include military activity, maintenance, airspace reconfiguration, etc."

Defence