Kautilya

Indian Air Force officials said that landing of the last MiG-29 legacy aircraft marked the end of an era. The aircraft has proved its mettle in various operations including Kargil and recent post Pulwama attacks. “It was an emotional moment for the officers as they saw the legend roaring up in the skies for the last time. Before it came back to guard the skies after getting the all-important upgrades making it more lethal a weapon in the IAF,” a senior officer said.

An official release said that the exercise will involve 100 soldiers from both Indian and Kazakhstan Army who would share their experience of counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations. It will be the fourth edition of the exercise this year which is an annual event conducted alternatively in Kazakhstan and India.

Official sources said Gen Rawat will hold wide-ranging discussions with Maldivian Defence Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi, Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid and Chief of Defence Forces of Maldives Gen Abdulla Shamaal and explore ways to further deepen bilateral military cooperation.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation is also already working to increase Astra’s strike range from the existing 110-km to over 160-km. “Astra is one of the best BVRAAMs in the world today. We have the capability to develop it for longer ranges,” said DRDO chief Dr G Satheesh Reddy, talking to TOI.