Bharat Shakti: PM Modi to witness mega war games in Rajasthan's Pokhran today

File Photo of an IAF drill in Pokhran

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to attend the "Bharat Shakti" war games in Rajasthan's Pokhran today, per a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). The Prime Minister's visit comes just ahead of the Lok Sabha election schedule by the Election Commission.

According to the PMO statement, "The exercise ‘Bharat Shakti’ will have on display an array of indigenous weapon systems and platforms as a demonstration of the prowess of the country, premised on the nation’s Aatmanirbharata initiative".

What is Bharat Shakti?

Bharat Shakti is a major tri-Service exercise in which the Army, Air Force and Navy will put up a scintillating display of firepower.

The major theme of the "live fire and manoeuver demonstration" will be the Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence production. According to officials, the forces will display India-made weapon systems and equipment to showcase strides taken by India towards self reliance in defence.

According to the report, the Army will be showcasing the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, Akash air defence missiles, Swati weapon-locating radars, Dhanush howitzers and Pinaka multi-launch rocket systems during the drill.

Others indigenous weapons such K9 Vajra artillery guns, Arjun tanks, indigenous drones and Tejas fighters will also be part of the exercise.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh and top military officials are also expected to attend the mega war games.

The exercise will be aligned with the Centre's push for self reliance in the defence sector under "Aatmanirbhar Bharat". The Modi government has been increasing the allocation to the defence sector in the Union Budget over the last few years to allow the military to develop homegrown advanced weapons systems.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh had said earlier that India's defence production is expected to touch Rs 3 lakh crore by 2028-29 with weapons exports topping Rs 50,000 crore.