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...