The Indian Air Force has focussed on air defence preparedness in the eastern and north-eastern sector with an eye on the country’s ‘eastern neighbour’. On Wednesday night and Thursday morning, the IAF carried out a drill of its Sukhoi Su-30 jets from the civilian airport on the outskirts of Guwahati. It was the first-of-its-kind operation, also conducted in Kolkata and Durgapur in West Bengal, from civilian airports in the area of operation of the IAF’s Eastern Air Command, headquartered near Shillong. ‘Eastern neighbour’ is believed to be a reference to China which has reportedly increased its air assets in Tibet. Airports identifiedThe IAF has identified Guwahati, Aizawl, Kolkata, and Durgapur civilian airports for operating and validating fighter aircraft operations in the eastern sector.

Source: The Hindu May 02, 2019 20:26 UTC