WORLD NEWS | Indian Air Force flying contingent departs for France for Bastille Day celebrations

New Delhi [India]July 7 (ANI): A flying contingent of the Indian Air Force (IAF) departed for France on Friday to take part in Bastille Day flying celebrations.

According to a release from the Ministry of Defense, the IAF contingent includes four Rafale fighter jets, two C-17 Globemasters and 72 IAF personnel.

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The Bastille Day air show and parade by IAF fighters follows the long-standing cooperation between the two countries, especially in the field of air power.

Many Indians such as Welinkar, Shivdev Singh, HC Dewan and Jumbo Majumdar served for the Fight for the sky of France.

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According to official releases, some, such as Jumbo Majumdar, were also awarded medals for their heroic actions across the Falaise Gorge at the end of World War II.

The Indian Air Force also operates a number of French aircraft, including the Uragan. It was followed by fighters such as the Breguet Alize, Mystere IVA, SEPECAT Jaguar, Mirage 2000 and now the Rafale.

Helicopters like the Skylark-III and Lama continue to provide homesteader services in India, especially in the remote Himalayan regions. The Indian Air Force’s marching task force was commanded by Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy, an accomplished helicopter pilot. She also flew the Alouette-III helicopter extensively, according to official releases.

Professional ties between the air forces of the two countries have also been strengthened during flight exercises such as Desert Rider, Garuda and Orion. The IAF’s Rafale aircraft biplanes with the IAF Air Force reflect this strategic friendship that spans decades and continues to mature, both on the ground and in the air.

Meanwhile, a tri-service detachment of the Indian Armed Forces set off for France on Thursday along with its French counterparts.

A 269-member tri-service contingent of the Indian Armed Forces will march alongside French troops during the parade, the defense ministry said.

Fete Nationale Francaise is celebrated on July 15th or Bastille Day. It is also known as Bastille Day because it marks the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille in 1789 during the French Revolution. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited as the guest of honor to attend the Bastille Day parade in France.

The Indian Ministry of Defense further stated that the ties between the Indian and French armies can be traced back to World War I. More than 1.3 million Indian soldiers fought in the war, nearly 74,000 of them fought in muddy trenches and never returned, and another 67,000 were injured. Indian troops also fought valiantly on French soil. (Arnie)

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