New Delhi: Indian Army and  Indian Air Force (IAF) jointly carried out an airlift exercise as part of its drill  to further strengthen the Logistics Supply to the troops in the northern sector.

Codenamed “Operation Hercules’’ this drill was carried out amidst the ongoing winter season and it was to enhance the stock replenishment along the border areas in the sector.

The militaries of India and China continue to be in standoff and this will be the second winter for the Indian troops who will be deployed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. The whole terrain where the Indian troops will be deployed for the next four-five months is most challenging and it will be cut off from the rest of the country.

The IAF transport aircraft are required to carry supplies for the troops. According to an official statement from the Ministry of Defence (MoD),  IAF transport aircraft C-17, IL-76 and AN-32 for the airlift exercise and they took off from one of the forward bases of the Western Air Command.

The MoD underscored that Operation Hercules in the northern sector was a demonstration in real time heavyweight capabilities of the IAF. And, the critical role IAF plays in maintaining the ability to respond fast to any contingency and how it is the life line of the troops deployed in unfriendly terrains.