Posted on 06/08/2010 11:19:16 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
For the first time ever, the Indian Air Force’s SU-30 MKI will be participating in a joint exercise in France early next week. The two air forces will be joined by the Singaporean Air Force with its American-origin Block 52 F-16s.
As another first, IAF’s Garuda Special Forces will be taking part in the Indo-French Garuda series air-to-air exercises in France.
During the exercise, the French Air Force will field its Mirage 2000 and Rafael fighter aircraft, which are currently competing for the $10-bn deal to supply 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft to the IAF.
An IAF contingent of 230 Air Warriors was flagged off from Air Force Station Bareilly by air marshal S Varthaman, senior air staff officer, Central Air Command, on Monday. The IAF contingent would be taking part in exercise ‘Garuda-IV scheduled from June 14-25, at Istres Air Base, France.
According to senior officials in the contingent, IAF assets taking part in exercise include six Sukhoi—30 MKIs air dominance fighter aircraft, three IL- 78 Flight Refueller Aircraft & one IL-76 Heavy Lift Transport Aircraft. The SU-30 MKIs would be taking part in an exercise in France for the first time. Also, a team of Garud Special Forces would be taking part in Exercise Garuda for the first time.
(Excerpt) Read more at financialexpress.com ...
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Shouldn't it be 1 re-fueller and 3 lifters if they are taking the Garuds too?
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