Exercise ROTOR CLAP III

Why in News?

The Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully concluded Exercise ROTOR CLAP III on 1–2 August 2026 at the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan. The exercise focused on Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (Counter-UAS) operations and involved multiple rotary-wing helicopter units conducting live-fire missions to enhance India’s capability against emerging drone threats.

About Exercise ROTOR CLAP III

Exercise ROTOR CLAP III is the third edition of the Indian Air Force’s specialised rotary-wing operational exercise dedicated to countering Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). The exercise was designed to validate operational concepts, improve inter-platform coordination, and strengthen the combat readiness of helicopter units in dealing with modern aerial threats.

The exercise included live firing of missiles and rockets, simulating realistic combat scenarios involving hostile drones and unmanned aerial vehicles. It evaluated the ability of helicopter crews to detect, track, identify, and neutralise aerial targets under operational conditions. Such exercises are increasingly important as drones have become a significant component of modern warfare, intelligence gathering, and precision strikes.

Several frontline helicopters of the Indian Air Force participated in the exercise, each performing specialised operational roles:

• AH-64 Apache – Attack helicopter for anti-armour operations and close air support.
• Mi-25/35 Gunship – Armed helicopter for offensive ground attack missions.
• HAL Prachand (Light Combat Helicopter) – India’s indigenously developed light combat helicopter designed for high-altitude warfare.
• CH-47F(I) Chinook – Heavy-lift helicopter for transport and logistics.
• Mi-17 V5 – Medium-lift helicopter for troop transport, logistics, and disaster relief.
• HAL Dhruv (Advanced Light Helicopter) – Multi-role utility helicopter used for transport, surveillance, reconnaissance, and search-and-rescue missions.

The exercise also tested helicopter-based Counter-UAS tactics, command-and-control procedures, and coordinated responses against multiple drone threats. These operational drills help the Indian Air Force adapt to evolving battlefield environments where unmanned systems increasingly play a decisive role.

Related Information

Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (Counter-UAS) comprise technologies and operational measures used to detect, identify, track, disrupt, and destroy hostile drones. Counter-UAS capabilities include radars, electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, radio-frequency detectors, electronic warfare systems, GPS spoofing, jamming technologies, and hard-kill weapons such as missiles, guns, and directed-energy systems.

The growing use of drones in recent conflicts—including the Russia–Ukraine conflict and attacks on military installations in West Asia—has highlighted the need for robust counter-drone capabilities. India has also accelerated the development of indigenous Counter-UAS technologies under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Systems such as Bhargavastra, D4 Anti-Drone System, and DRDO-developed counter-drone technologies are being integrated into the country’s layered air defence architecture.

The Pokhran Field Firing Range in Rajasthan serves as one of India’s premier military testing and live-fire training facilities. It has hosted several major exercises of the Indian Armed Forces and is widely used for evaluating new weapons systems and operational doctrines.

Exam Oriented Facts

• Exercise: Exercise ROTOR CLAP III.
• Conducted By: Indian Air Force (IAF).
• Dates: 1–2 August 2026.
• Venue: Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
• Theme: Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (Counter-UAS).
• Exercise Type: Rotary-wing helicopter combat exercise.
• Major Activities: Live firing of missiles and rockets; drone detection, tracking, and neutralisation.
• Participating Helicopters:
  • AH-64 Apache – Attack helicopter.
  • Mi-25/35 – Gunship helicopter.
  • HAL Prachand (LCH) – Indigenous light combat helicopter.
  • CH-47F(I) Chinook – Heavy-lift transport helicopter.
  • Mi-17 V5 – Medium-lift utility helicopter.
  • HAL Dhruv (ALH) – Multi-role utility helicopter.
• Counter-UAS: Measures to detect, identify, track, disrupt, and destroy hostile drones.
• Developer of HAL Prachand: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• Significance: Enhances the Indian Air Force’s operational readiness against emerging drone and unmanned aerial threats while strengthening joint helicopter combat capabilities.