In News:

The Indian Air Force (IAF) recently concluded the week-long Exercise ROTOR CLAP III at the Pokhran Field Firing Range, Rajasthan, focusing on countering emerging drone threats.

About Exercise ROTOR CLAP III

Exercise ROTOR CLAP III is a specialized Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter exercise centred on Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (Counter-UAS) operations. It is the third edition of the IAF's rotary-wing exercise series aimed at enhancing helicopter capabilities against evolving aerial threats.

Key Features

• Theme: Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (Counter-UAS).
• Venue: Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan.
• Organised by: Indian Air Force (IAF).
• Objective: To validate operational concepts against emerging drone threats, enhance combat preparedness, and improve coordination among rotary-wing platforms in dynamic battlefield scenarios.

Participating Platforms

The exercise involved a wide range of IAF helicopters, including:

• AH-64 Apache attack helicopter
• Mi-25/35 attack helicopters
• LCH Prachand (indigenous light combat helicopter)
• CH-47F(I) Chinook heavy-lift helicopter
• Mi-17 utility helicopter
• Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv

Operational Activities

The participating helicopters carried out multiple tactical missions, including:

• Precision strike operations
• Counter-UAS missions
• Battlefield support
• Reconnaissance and surveillance
• Troop insertion
• Casualty evacuation (CASEVAC)
• Coordinated operations against aerial and ground-based threats