Bharat Shakti: Tri-Service Indigenous Equipment Exercise

Context

The ‘Bharat Shakti’ exercise, taking place at Pokhran field firing ranges in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district on March 12, will demonstrate the armed forces’ abilities in shock and awe, manoeuvring, and combat.

Key Points

• This was reflected when the Bharat Shakti Tri-Service Indigenous Equipment Exercise was conducted in Pokhran, Rajasthan.
• This exercise truly brings out the operational prowess and integration of the three services (Army, Navy, and Air Force) by using equipment developed indigenously.

Details On Bharat Shakti Exercise

About

• The “Bharat Shakti” exercise, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is a war game in Pokhran, Rajasthan.
• It showcases India’s indigenous defence capabilities, focusing on domestically developed weapons and systems.
• The exercise tries to display the effectiveness of the network-centric made-in-India system and test the robustness of secure communication systems.
• It features military hardware like Pinaka rocket launchers, K-9 artillery guns, drones, and Tejas fighter aircraft.
• This is an important move for India to establish a stronger defence posture based on self-sufficiency.

Objective

• The prime aim of the “Bharat Shakti” exercise is to portray and assess India’s self-dependence in defence capabilities.
• The strategic focus is on the use of domestically developed weapons platforms and systems to test the effectiveness of these indigenous technologies and also foster greater synergies between the three wings of the Indian Armed Forces.
• The exercise is also aligned with the broader national policy of “Atma Nirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India), aiming to reduce dependence on foreign military hardware and technology.

Challenges

• In the “Bharat Shakti” exercise, on the other hand, there are a whole host of challenges, like the efficacy of newly developed technologies, complete indigenisation in critical areas like aircraft engine production and submarine building, integrity, and security of communication systems even in hostile scenarios.
• The essence among the principal tasks would be to single out the improvement of synergy and operational integration of services, according to tradition, working independently from one another.
• These challenges are crucial for the success of the exercise and the broader goal of self-reliance in defence.

Pokhran

• Pokhran, a remote location in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, was the site of India’s first nuclear test in 1974.
• Despite this, it was given the go-ahead with the testing by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and its initial name was “Peaceful Nuclear Explosive”; later, it was renamed Operation Smiling Buddha or Pokhran I.
• The place had been chosen by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre due to its topography and weather, which would allow the production of sandstorms that obscured visibility for the American spy satellites and infrared sensors. The test was, however, conducted to work towards making India be in a position to fulfil the needs of nuclear technology by her own research and effort rather than produce the bomb.

Conclusion

The “Bharat Shakti” exercise marks a significant milestone in India’s defence sector, highlighting the country’s progress towards self-reliance. It demonstrates the effectiveness of indigenous military technology and fosters better integration among the armed forces. This initiative not only strengthens national security but also asserts India’s position in the global defence landscape.

Source: The Indian Express

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q.The “Bharat Shakti: Tri-Service Indigenous Equipment Exercise” is significant for India’s defence because it:

   a. Showcases India’s growing defence exports

   b. Demonstrates India’s reliance on foreign military equipment

   c. Highlights India’s capabilities in indigenous defence technology

   d. Focuses on cybersecurity advancements

Ans – “c”

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