Article Posted on : - Feb 16, 2023

Indian Air Force's Su-30 aircraft flies past during the full dress rehearsal of Aero India 2023, at Yelahanka air base in Bengaluru, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023. A PTI Photo

KOCHI/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM (PTI): In a joint exercise, the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy has displayed an extended range of land-based maritime strike capability in the adjoining high seas around peninsular India.

The mission comprised four Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft and mid-air refuelling was also undertaken to reach a target at a distance of over 2,500 kilometres, a defence PRO said.

"The to-and-fro flight lasted about seven hours. Simulated launch of the anti-shipping missiles was practised. This was undertaken as a joint operation with the Indian Navy employing the P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol aircraft and other maritime air and sea assets towards providing real-time targeting data," the defence ministry said in a release on Wednesday.

It said such missions were being frequently undertaken to strengthen defences of peninsular India.