IAF’s participation in international exercises helps it keep abreast of new technologies and tactics
Mohmmad Asif Khan
This year has been busy for the Indian Air Force (IAF). It participated in a number of bilateral, trilateral and multilateral exercises with friendly air forces across the globe to enhance its operational capabilities and readiness, strengthen its ties with other air forces, and promote regional security. These exercises demonstrated the IAF’s operational readiness to operate with other air forces, provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to those in need, and support India’s foreign policy and security objectives.
Year at a glance
Exercise Cobra Warrior 2023 was held from 6 to 24 March 2023 at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, England. The exercise focused on intensive training in air-to-air combat, air-to-ground attack and reconnaissance. Notable aircraft deployed by the IAF included the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Mirage 2000 and Jaguar. Among the aircraft the RAF deployed were the F-35 Lightning, Typhoon, F-16, Hawk, Voyager and the Hercules. The exercise involved over 70 aircraft from seven countries: the United Kingdom, India, the United States, Sweden, South Africa, Finland and Singapore. The exercise was designed to train participants in high intensity, large force, tactical air war fighting operations. It also provided an opportunity for the participating countries to work together and share their best practices.
The IAF’s presence was also felt in the UAE during Exercise Desert Flag VIII, hosted by the United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAEAF) from February 27 to March 17, 2023, at the Al Dhafra Air Base. This exercise facilitated tactical knowledge exchange, emphasising collaborative efforts for regional security. Over 150 aircraft and 5,000 personnel participated from the UAEAF, RAF, USAF, French Air and Space Force, Royal Saudi Air Force, Egyptian Air Force and the Moroccan Royal Air Force. The IAF deployed the Rafale, Sukhoi Su-30MKI and the C-17 Globemaster III aircraft in the two-week exercise.
In March, the IAF carried out a bilateral Exercise Desert Warrior 2023 with the Egyptian Air Force. It focused on a range of missions, including air-to-air combat, air-to-ground attack and electronic warfare. The participating aircraft included the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Mirage 2000 and the C-17 Globemaster III from the IAF, and the F-16 Fighting Falcon, Rafale and Mirage 2000 from the Egyptian Air Force.
The sixth edition of Exercise Cope India was held in April 2023 at the Air Force Stations Kalaikunda, Panagarh and Agra in India. The exercise involved over 100 aircraft and 2,500 personnel from the IAF and the USAF. The IAF deployed the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Rafale, Tejas and Jaguar fighter aircraft as well as the C-17 Globemaster III and C-130 transport aircraft. The USAF deployed the F-15 Eagle fighter aircraft, C-130 transport aircraft, MC-130J special operations aircraft, C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft and the B-1B Lancer strategic bomber aircraft.
It was followed by Exercise Orion 2023, a multinational air exercise hosted by the French Air and Space Force (FASF) and held in France from 17 April to 5 May 2023. The exercise was the largest and most complex multinational air exercise ever conducted by the FASF and involved over 7,000 personnel and 200 aircraft from 14 participating nations. The IAF participated in the exercise with a contingent of four Rafale fighter aircraft, two C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft and two IL-78MKI air-to-air refuelling aircraft. The IAF contingent also included over 150 air warriors.
Exercise Iniochos 2023 was another multinational air exercise, hosted by the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) and held in Greece from 24 April to 4 May 2023. The exercise was the largest and most complex multinational air exercise ever conducted by the HAF and it involved over 3,000 personnel and 150 aircraft from 10 participating nations. The IAF participated in it with a contingent of four Rafale fighter aircraft, two C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft and two IL-78MKI air-to-air refuelling aircraft. The IAF contingent also included over 100 air warriors.
This was quickly followed by Exercise Hamra Cactus 2023, a multinational air exercise involving the air forces of Egypt, India, Saudi Arabia, Greece and Qatar. The exercise took place in Egypt in May 2023 and encompassed missions ranging from air-to-air combat to maritime security. The IAF deployed a number of aircraft for the exercise, including the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, the Mirage 2000 and the C-17 Globemaster III. The air forces of the other participating countries also deployed a variety of aircraft to the exercise.
The IAF also debuted in a multilateral tri-service exercise, Bright Star-23, from 3 to 16 September 2023 in Egypt. Conceptualised as a training exercise between the US and Egypt during the Camp David Accord of 1977, the first edition of Bright Star was conducted in Egypt in 1980. In 1995, it was expanded to a tri-service, multilateral exercise. The 2023 edition was co-hosted by the US Central Command and the Egyptian Army and involved more than 20 countries. Both the Indian Army and the IAF participated in the exercise, which showcased collective commitment to strategic readiness with complex manoeuvres conducted alongside the militaries of the US, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Greece and Qatar. The IAF deployed the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Mirage 2000 and C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.
Highlighting the critical nature of such multilateral exercises, additional director general at the Centre for Air Power Studies, Air Vice Marshal Anil Golani (retd) says, “The basic objective of multilateral exercises is to learn from each other to understand each other and to see the best practices that the other air forces have and to incorporate them as required in your service or domain.”
All of this fits in with the IAF’s modernisation programmes that involve induction of not only new platforms but also infusion of new technologies. As AVM Golani says, “Modernisation is crucial for enhancing our operational capabilities and maintaining a technological edge. We need to incorporate the latest advancements to effectively address the evolving security challenges.”
The IAF’s participation in international exercises helps to improve its interoperability with other air forces and to learn new tactics and procedures. This is essential for maintaining a high level of operational readiness and deterring aggression from adversaries. For example, the IAF’s participation in the annual Exercise Cope India helps to improve its interoperability with the US Air Force.
“They tend to gain a lot from our expertise, and they acknowledge it. Do we also gain from them? Yes, we do,” says Gp Capt. Ram Ithikat (retd).
Active Participants
The IAF has evolved from an observer to an active participant in international humanitarian operations in recent years. The IAF’s first major international operation was its participation in the United Nations-led peacekeeping mission in Congo in the early 1960s. This mission was a significant milestone in the IAF’s development as it marked its first deployment outside India.
In the years since the Congo mission, the IAF has carried out rescue and relief missions for Indian civilians during a number of international operations, including the Gulf War, the Kosovo War, the war in Afghanistan, the Libyan civil war and the Yemeni Civil War. The IAF has also provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to a number of countries, including Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Myanmar.
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