IAF Conducts Exercise ROTOR CLAP-III in Rajasthan to Enhance Counter-Drone Combat Capability

Exam-focused facts from the 7 August 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is conducting Exercise Rotor Clap-III, a counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) drill, in Rajasthan.
The exercise brings together IAF helicopter units to validate operational concepts against emerging aerial threats.
Participating platforms include AH-64 Apache, Mi-25/35 and indigenous Prachand helicopter gunships, along with Chinook, Mi-17 and Dhruv transport and utility helicopters.
The exercise includes live firing of missiles and rockets.
Countering hostile drones is a key focus area, and several indigenous projects are under way to develop drones and counter-drone systems.
The IAF is reported to be planning to equip some helicopters with AI-embedded radars, jammers and micro-missiles as mobile airborne drone hunters.