New Delhi: Indian Army began a major exercise November 13 comprising more than 40,000 troops, besides several tanks, artillery guns and attack helicopters, on India’s western front with Pakistan.

The exercise called ‘Sindu Sudarshan-VII’ will test the ‘battle readiness’ of the 21 Corps, a ‘strike formation’ (meant for attacking in enemy territory), in an integrated air land battle scenario. This will be the second phase of the ‘corps level’ exercise, which will take place between Barmer and Jaisalmer from November 13 to 18.

The Army will test its military manoeuvres during this time. “These will include movement of tanks, infantry combat vehicles and artillery guns to see how they can be placed in an advantageous position during a battle scenario and then employing their firepower,” an official explained.

Firepower demonstrations of tanks and artillery guns, which was the first phase of the exercise was carried out in Pokhran last month.

The exercise will aim to show the integration between tanks including T-72, mechanised infantry including combat vehicles, artillery guns, army air defence, attack helicopters such as the armed Advanced Light Helicopter ‘Rudra’ and special forces.

For the first time in an exercise, the K-9 Vajra self-propelled artillery gun, which was inducted into the Army last November, is being used. Indian Army is procuring 100 of these guns, which are a variant of the K-9 Thunder being used by the South Korean army. The air force’s assets, including close air support and combat air patrol that will have fighter jets, will also be used during the exercise.