Indian Air Force and
French Air Force have planned to carry out Garuda, atwo-week-long mega air exercise,
beginning on July 1
in France. The aim is to boost the military-to-militaryties
between the two countries. A fleet of Sukhoi 30 fighter jets of 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 include mid-air refueller will
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 the French
Air Force.
India had signed a government-to-government deal
with France in 2016 to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of about Rs.58,000-crore. The
first Rafale jet is scheduled to be delivered in September.
