Chinese/Pakistanis monitor IAF exercises

It is learnt that the PLAAF closely monitored various aspects of the Indian Air Force (IAF)’s Exercise GaganShakti 2018 which took place in April 2018 particularly the second phase when IAF assets were swung from the western to eastern theatre in less than 48 hours. On 16-17 April, it is learnt that IAF fighters including Su-30MKIs carried out firing of air-to-ground ordnance against practice targets at high altitudes areas, while the IAF’s considerable air transport fleet, including Boeing C-17s, Ilyushin Il-76s, C-130J Super Hercules and Antonov An-32s, flew numerous sorties with logistic-support equipment for fighter squadrons being re-deployed to eastern airbases as also mobile radars and air defence missile units. It is learnt that the Pakistan Air Force too closely monitored the Exercise during the first phase, also using their airborne early warning aircraft for the purpose.