New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has postponed Exercise Vayu Shakti that was scheduled to take place at the Pokhran range in Jaisalmer on March 7, government officials said on Friday. Many union leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi were to attend the programme.
However, they did not share the reason for deferring the exercise.
According to the information, Rajasthan Police Headquarters received information about the cancellation of the program on behalf of the Union Home Ministry, following which ADG Law and Order Hawa Singh Ghumaria issued an order from the Police Headquarters. Ghumaria, while issuing the order, also cancelled the duty of all the police officers and police force made available to Jaisalmer district for the Vayu Shakti program.
Earlier during the day, the Ministry of Defence said the premier defence exhibition DefExpo-2022, which was proposed to be held in Gandhinagar between March 10 and 14, has been postponed as participants are experiencing problems related to logistics.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducts Exercise Vayu Shakti at the Pokhran range every three years to demonstrate its readiness to conduct full-spectrum operations. The last one took place in 2019.
Also Read:IAF to demonstrate capabilities at exercise 'Vayu Shakti' in Pokharan
A total of 148 aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) were scheduled to demonstrate their capabilities at this year's exercise, the officials noted. The Rafale aircraft was scheduled to participate at Exercise Vayu Shakti for the first time with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the chief guest.
