Defence Scan

Ministry of Defence through its press release has intimated the following “Misinformation on the shooting of Pakistan Air Force F-16 by MiG-21 Bison are being spread on various social media sites. IAF during the press statement on February 28, 2019 had clarified that one F-16 of Pakistan Air Force was shot by MiG-21 Bison and it fell across the LoC. Additionally, fake accounts of Wing Commander V Abhinandan have been created. IAF has informed on 06 March 19 that Wing Commander V Abhinandan does not have any official social media account on Twitter and Instagram and have advised all not to follow these accounts as they may contain malware.”

On March 4, 2019, the President of India and the Supreme Commander of Indian Armed Forces, Shri Ram Nath Kovind presented the prestigious President’s Colours to Air Force Station Hakimpet and 5 Base Repair Depot at Air Force Station Sulur.

During a press conference, on March 4, 2019, the Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa made comments on the ongoing anti-terror operations. He affirmed that the Airforce pilots had hit the intended target in Balakot and added, “If we plan to hit the target, we hit the target. If we had dropped bombs in a jungle, they would not have responded.” As regards the number of terrorists killed, he said “IAF is not in a postilion to clarify the number of casualties. The government will clarify that. We don’t count human casualties, we count what targets we have hit or not.” As regarding use of MiG-21 Bisons against modern F-16 aircraft, he said that the Mig-21 was a capable aircraft as it has been upgraded. It has better radar, air to air missiles and better weapons system.

On a query on the current state of operations he said “It is an ongoing operation. I will not comment on it.”

Exercise Al Nagah III, the bilateral joint exercise between India and Oman is scheduled to be held from 12th to 25th March 2019 at Jabel Al Akhdar Mountains in Oman. The exercise aims to exchange expertise and experience in tactics, weapon handling and firing as also enhance interoperability in counterterrorist operations in semi urban mountainous terrain. The Indian Army contingent consists of 04 Officers, 09 Junior Commissioned Officers and 47 other ranks of 10th Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles. Similar strength is also to be fielded by Jabel Regiment of Royal Army of Oman. India-Oman bilateral security ties have continued to develop since the beginning of India-Oman Joint Military Cooperation meetings in 2006. Similar exercises are also held between the navies and air forces of both the countries.