SURYALANKA, ANDHRA PRADESH. In a first-of-its-kind, Indian Air Force (IAF) has conducted a combined guided weapon firing exercise at Suryalanka Air Force Station in Andhra Pradesh.

IAF carried out the firing of four different class of Surface to Air Missiles – AKASH, SPYDER, OSA-AK-M and IGLA – on December 5, 7 and 8 during day and night in an integrated networked environment.

Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa along with AOC-in-C Southern Air Command Air Marshal B Suresh and number of other dignitaries witnessed the missile launch.

Earlier ACM Dhanoa arrived at the Airport Force Station Suryalanka on December 7 when he was received by Air Marshal Suresh and Gp Capt RM Kumarasamy, Station Commander, Air Force Station Suryalanka.

Interacting with the station personnel and the missile combat crew, the Air Chief lauded their efforts towards the successful conduct of the exercise. He conveyed that the Exercise is yet another major milestone achieved by the IAF.

ACM Dhanoa stated that this exercise will help to improve the combat skills of our missile Squadron crew and will go a long way in strengthening the Air Defence preparedness of the country.

While addressing the missile combat crew, he stressed that improving professional skills during exercises of this kind will improve the combat capability of the IAF.