March 04, 2013: Among a sombre national mood following the twin blasts in Hyderabad that killed 16 people, the Indian Government put on display the country's might over Pokhran in a fire power demonstration designated 'Iron Fist'. It was conceived as a visible demonstration of not only the deterrent and joint war fighting capabilities of the IAF but also a reaffirmation of IAF's commitment to nation building through its more benign and non kinetic capabilities, said a statement prior to the show.

The Indian Air Force demonstrated its operational capabilities by day, dusk and night at the sprawling facility of the Pokharan Range, the largest air-to-ground weapons firing range for training in delivery of heavy armament, near Jaisalmer, in the arid Rajasthan Sector. Showcasing more than 30 types of platforms and weapons systems, about 230 aircraft including Su-30 MKI, Mirage 2000, Jaguar, MiG-21, MiG-27, MiG-29 and BAE Hawk. Transport aircraft that flew missions during the demo included C-130J Super Hercules, upgraded An-32, Embraer ERJ145 Legacy and Il-76, while Mi-8, Mi-17 1V, the newly inducted Mi-17 V5 and Mi-35 attack helicopters flew rotorcraft missions.

Interestingly, the IAF also showcased for the first time, its surface-to-air missile systems like the shoulder fired IGLA, the vehicle mounted and mobile OSA-AK M and the longer range Pechora, currently up for replacement. The IAF also flew its brand new Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II trainer at the demo. The events at Iron Fist included air defence operations, counter surface force operations, urban warfare, combat search rescue operations, assault approach and landing, combat offloading and short take off by C-130J at the landing strip prepared at Pokhran range. The indigenous LCH and LCA Tejas were also part of the demonstration in a confidence building exercise. President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh witnessed the awesome demonstration.