World News | IAF chief VR Chaudhari rides Rafale during military exercise with France

Jodhpur (Rajasthan) [India]8th November (ANI): Demonstrating the defence and bilateral relations between the two countries, Indian Air Force (IAF) Marshal VR Chaudhari aboard a Rafale fighter jet, while French Air Force Commander General Stephen Miller aboard the Indian-Russian-born IAF in Jodh on Tuesday, Su-30MKI fighter jets during the “Garuda VII” bilateral exercise held in Bull.

The ongoing Ex Garuda VII between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the French Air Force and Space Force (FASF) will conclude on 12 November.

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Chaudhari followed up with the FASF chief in a media interview, noting that Ex Garuda provides the Air Force with a unique opportunity to learn and absorb each other’s best practices during operations. He also highlighted the growing interoperability between the air forces of the two countries, which has been developing with each successive version of the exercise since 2003, a regular bilateral exercise.

Earlier, the Chief of Staff of the French Air Force and Space Force, General Stephen Miller, met with Army Commander General Manoy Pande and Navy Vice-Admiral SN Ghormade on Monday, where they discussed various aspects of defence cooperation between the two countries.

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Ex Garuda VII is also the first time that LCA Tejas and recently selected LCH Prachand have participated in any international exercise. The exercise included four FASF Rafale fighter jets and an A-330 Multipurpose Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft.

In addition to the LCA and LCH, the IAF contingent includes Su-30 MKI, Rafale and Jaguar fighter jets and Mi-17 helicopters. The IAF contingent also includes combat-enabling assets such as flying tankers, AWACS, AEW&C, and Garud Special Forces.

“Garuda VII” is the seventh edition of the bilateral exercise. The first, third and fifth editions were conducted at Gwalior, Karakunda and Jodhpur air bases in India in 2003, 2006 and 2014 respectively. The second, fourth and sixth editions took place in France in 2005, 2010 and 2019 respectively.

The participation of IAF and FASF in the exercise will facilitate professional interaction, exchange of experience and enhancement of operational knowledge, while strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, the statement said. (ANI)

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