On November 16, 2019 the Strike Corps of the Indian Army(IA) has conducted its second phase of the exercise named Sindu Sudarshan-VII in Jaisalmer-Barmer deserts of Rajasthan from November 12-18, 2019. The aim of the exercise was to evaluate the capability and battle readiness of the defence forces in an integrated air-land battle in a semi-developed terrain of the desert.
The Bhopal-based strike 21 Corps, formed in 1990 and rechristened as the ‘Sudarshan Chakra Corps’ of the southern command, has undertaken this year’s exercise.
Key Points:
i.40,000 jawans, 700 ‘A’ category vehicles, 300 guns of the Chakra Corps of Southern Command participated in the exercise.
ii.Newly inducted armed helicopter Rudra, manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) equipped with electro-optical pods, helmet-mounted sights and night vision goggles was used in the exercise. Apart from Rudra, newly inducted K9 Vajra (South Korean self-propelled 155 mm howitzer) was also used in the exercise.
iii.3rd & 1st phase: The 3rd phase of the exercise will be conducted in the Pokhran field firing range of Rajasthan from November 29-December 4, 2019. Previously, the first phase of the exercise was carried out in Pokhran using Integrated Battle Groups(IBG) in the month of October 2019.
iv.Strike corps: The army’s field forces are grouped into corps. Some of these corps, over the years have acquired the unofficial name called “Holding” while the others are called ‘Strike Corps’. The IA’s principal offensive formations have 3 Strike Corps, they are 1 Corps, 2 Corps and 21 Corps (Sudarshan Chakra Corps).
About Indian Army(IA):
Motto- “Service Before Self”.
Founded- 1 April 1895.
Headquarters- New Delhi.
Commander-in-Chief- President Ram Nath Kovind.
