Indian Army Summer Battle Exercise in Rajasthan

April 28, 2012
http://www.defencenow.com/news/653/indian-army-summer-battle-exercise-in-rajasthan.html

The Indian Army has begun a massive summer exercise in the Rajasthan desert called the 'Shoorveer', the exercise involves over 50,000 troops and several hundred artillery guns and infantry combat vehicles.

 

The exercise, which began earlier this month, is part of the Indian Army's efforts to shore up its battle worthiness on the western front with Pakistan.

 

Conducted by the Jaipur-based South Western Command, the month long exercise will end in the first week of May, when India's Defence Minister AK Antony and Army chief Gen. VK Singh will witness the battle manoeuvres that were validated by the troops.

 

"Troops from the of South Western 'Sapta Shakti' Command have now built up in the deserts of Rajasthan to carry out an annual summer exercise," the army headquarters said here.

 

"Presently, the formations are practising their battle drills in the designated training areas," it said.

 

The collective training started with honing up of basic battle procedures and tactical drills at tactical level. A number of field firings are being carried out to check the accuracy and lethality of the weapon systems. A large number of innovations and modifications carried out by units and formations to enhance combat power are being tested in the field.

 

The troops will build the momentum of training gradually, with increased combat tempo to set the stage for a major joint army-air force exercise in the later part of the exercise.

 

"The exercise Shoorveer is scheduled to culminate when Sapta Shakti Command along with Indian Air Force will carry out swift battle manoeuvres and joint operations," the army said