Indian Air Force Begins 10-Day War Exercise “Gagan Shakti 2024” in Pokhran

Current Context: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has begun a 10-day war exercise named “Gagan Shakti 2024” on April 1, 2024, and it will run until April 10, 2024.

• The exercise is being conducted at various locations across the country, including the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
• The exercise involves all air force bases and assets scattered across the country. 
• About 10,000 airmen of the Indian Air Force are participating in this ten-day exercise.
• The exercise will see participation by 121 aircraft, including the indigenous Tejas, Prachand and Dhruv. Other participating aircraft would include the Rafale, Mirage-2000, Sukhoi-30 MKI, Jaguar, Hawk, C-130J, Chinook, Apache and Mi-17.
• The Indian Army is also providing logistic support to the IAF for this exercise. 
• This demonstrates the synergy between the armed forces.
• The exercise is aimed at testing the IAF’s readiness against potential threats and will evaluate integrated war-fighting strategies and tactics with the Army and Navy.

Question:

Q.1 What is the primary aim of the “Gagan Shakti 2024” exercise?
a. To celebrate the Air Force Day
b. To test the IAF’s readiness against potential threats
c. To provide training to recruits
d. To showcase India’s defense capabilities to the world