Indian Air Force and
French Air Forcehave planned to carry out Garuda, atwo-week-long mega air exercise,
beginning onJuly 1
in France. The aim is to boost themilitary-to-militaryties
between the two countries. A fleet ofSukhoi 30 fighter jetsof the Indian
Air Force will engage in dogfights with France’s Rafale multirole aircraft in
simulated scenarios as part of the‘Garuda’
exercise.
Other assets includemid-air refuellerwill
also be sent to France by the IAF. It will be one of the largest air exercises
between the two strategic partners. The exercise will also provide an
opportunity to a sizeable number of IAF pilots to have a close look at the
Rafale jets being operated by theFrench
Air Force.
India had signed a government-to-government deal
with France in 2016 to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of aboutRs.58,000-crore.The
first Rafale jet is scheduled to be delivered in September.
