The Indian and French air forces will carry out a two-week-long mega air exercise beginning July 1 in France in a boost to military-to-military ties between the two countries, officials said Wednesday.
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, they said.
A large number of other assets including mid-air refueller will also be sent to France by the IAF. It will be one of the largest air exercise between the two strategic partners, a senior military official said.
The exercise will also provide an opportunity to a sizeable number of IAF pliots to have a close look at the Rafale jets being operated by the French Air Force, the officials said.
