India began a massive military exercise yesterday, its first since becoming a nuclear state, involving nearly 100,000 personnel from the army and air force in the desert region of Rajasthan.
The army and air force are simulating a land-and-air battle during the 11-day manoeuvres, code-named Shiv Shakti (Destruction). The aim is to practise offensive manoeuvres against neighbouring Pakistan, with which India has been to war three times in the past 50 years.
The exercise also includes new weapon systems, such as missiles and other force multipliers, operating in a simulated nuclear, chemical and biological environment. "We are bringing in new weapon systems, including Prithvi, the surface-to-surface missile, in its conventional role," said Lieut Gen H.M. Khanna.
The locally developed Prithvi missile, capable of hitting targets between 90 and 350 miles away, can carry a nuclear warhead.
