New Delhi, Aug 31 (PTI) The Indian Air Force will conduct an 11-day mega exercise beginning September 4 along the borders with China and Pakistan and it will involve all the key frontline combat jets, attack choppers, mid-air refuellers and other critical air assets, sources in the defence and military establishment said on Thursday.

The exercise 'Trishul' is taking place amid the over three-year confrontation between Indian and Chinese troops as well as New Delhi's continuing frosty ties with Pakistan.

Also Read | Cauvery Water Dispute: We Have Requested Authority To Visit Our Dams To Check Reality, Says Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar.

The aim of the exercise, being organised by the IAF's Western Command from September 4-14, is to test the combat capabilities of the force and assess various operational dimensions, they said.

It will one of the largest air exercises to be carried out by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in recent times, said one of the sources, adding that all key platforms of the Western Air Command as well as assets from other commands will be deployed for the drills.

Also Read | Parliament Special Session in September: Government Trying To Manage News Cycle in ‘Modi Style’, Says Congress Leader Jairam Ramesh.

The fighter jets to be part of the drills include Rafales, Su-30 MKIs, Jaguars, Mirage-2000s, MiG-29s and MiG-21 Bisons, the sources said about the annual wargame.

They said attack helicopters, mid-air refuellers, AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft and the transport fleet will also be deployed for the drills.

The exercise will largely cover frontline bases in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the sources said.

The result of the exercise will be thoroughly examined in the Air Headquarters at the end of the drills, they added.

Following the eastern Ladakh border row, the IAF has significantly enhanced its combat capabilities as part of a series of measures, including through procurement of new equipment and weapon systems.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)