<p>The Indian Air Force has carried out firing of the indigenously developed Akash missile system along with Russian short-range Igla missiles as part of a drill at air force station Suryalanka in Andhra Pradesh, officials said.</p>.<p>Vice Chief of Air Staff (VCAS) Air Marshal HS Arora witnessed the surface-to-air guided weapons firing drill on Tuesday, they said.</p>.<p>The firing of the missiles was carried out as part of an exercise from November 23 to December 2, the officials said.</p>.<p>"Akash missile system along with Russian short-range Igla missiles were fired and engaged the Manoeuverable Expendable Aerial Targets (MEAT) providing near realistic training to the combat crew," said an IAF official.</p>.<p>"While the country continues to face the unprecedented challenge of COVID-19 pandemic, Indian Air Force continues to hone its operational capabilities with an eye on the prevailing security situation," he said.</p>.<p>In his address to the air warriors, Air Marshal Arora commended the participating combat squadrons for their professionalism.</p>.<p>He urged the air warriors to be ready to apply the lessons learnt in the exercise in any emerging operational scenario, the officials said. </p>
<p>The Indian Air Force has carried out firing of the indigenously developed Akash missile system along with Russian short-range Igla missiles as part of a drill at air force station Suryalanka in Andhra Pradesh, officials said.</p>.<p>Vice Chief of Air Staff (VCAS) Air Marshal HS Arora witnessed the surface-to-air guided weapons firing drill on Tuesday, they said.</p>.<p>The firing of the missiles was carried out as part of an exercise from November 23 to December 2, the officials said.</p>.<p>"Akash missile system along with Russian short-range Igla missiles were fired and engaged the Manoeuverable Expendable Aerial Targets (MEAT) providing near realistic training to the combat crew," said an IAF official.</p>.<p>"While the country continues to face the unprecedented challenge of COVID-19 pandemic, Indian Air Force continues to hone its operational capabilities with an eye on the prevailing security situation," he said.</p>.<p>In his address to the air warriors, Air Marshal Arora commended the participating combat squadrons for their professionalism.</p>.<p>He urged the air warriors to be ready to apply the lessons learnt in the exercise in any emerging operational scenario, the officials said. </p>