New Delhi, 8 September : Leaders of 20 powerful countries in the world have started gathering in the country’s capital, Delhi, to attend the G-20 summit. In view of security, the Indian Air Force has put a stop to the ongoing exercise Trishul on the China-Pakistan border since September 4. Flying and operation of aircraft involved only in Exercise Trishul have been banned, while other regular flights will continue. Fighter aircraft like the Mirage 2000 and Rafale will do air patrolling for the security of the G-20.
Securing the Skies : Indian Air Force Takes Charge of G-20 Airspace
The security of the airspace during the G-20 summit in the capital will be the responsibility of the Indian Air Force, for which a large number of defensive and offensive weapons have already been deployed in and around Delhi. All the world leaders have started coming to the national capital, Delhi, to attend the summit, which has been kept under tight security cover. A large number of defensive and offensive weapons have been deployed in and around Delhi for aerial security. Fighter aircraft like the Mirage 2000 and Rafale will do air patrolling for the security of the G-20.
Air Force Exercise Trishul on the China-Pakistan Border
Amid preparations for the summit, the Air Force started a military exercise on the China-Pakistan border on September 4, which was named Trishul. The Air Force started this exercise, which lasted until September 14 in the northern region, including Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Punjab, at a time when the Air Force is also responsible for the air security of the G-20 summit. In view of the summit, the Air Force has stopped its aerial exercise Trishul midway. Heavy-lift transport aircraft, including Chinook and Apache, Rafale, Mirage 2000, and Sukhoi-30, were also participating in the exercise. The flights and operations of aircraft involved in the Trishul have been suspended, while other regular flights will continue.
Air Defence at G-20 Summit: Delhi’s Airspace Under Surveillance
The Air Force has also deployed air defence systems such as the Akash missile defence system and anti-aircraft guns to protect Delhi’s skies. Surface-to-air missile systems have also been moved to locations around Delhi to shoot down enemy aircraft or drones, an Air Force official associated with air security said. During this time, the Indian Air Force will start operating its Falcon AWACS aircraft to monitor the airspace across the country for the security of the airspace in the National Capital Region in view of the G-20 summit. Apart from this, Rafale and other fighter aircraft are being deployed at advanced airports to protect the skies of Delhi.
