Rafale jets are being deployed for the first time in the Indian Air Force’s overseas exercise. The Rafale is participating in a three-week multinational air exercise at the Mont-de-Marsan military base in France. Four Rafale jets, two C-17 aircraft and two IL-78 mid-air refuelers will be deployed.
The Indian Air Force contingent will leave for France on Friday
This is the first overseas exercise for the Indian Air Force’s Rafale aircraft. An IAF contingent of 165 airmen will conduct the exercise from April 17 to May 5. Apart from the IAF and the French Air and Space Force, the air forces of Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, UK, Spain and the US will also participate in the exercise.
The IAF had also conducted a large-scale exercise covering the Northeast in early February as tensions between India and China increased along the Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh. The exercise was conducted by the Shillong-based Eastern Air Command.
Tensions between the two countries had escalated after Indian and Chinese forces clashed on December 9 at Yangtse in the Tawang sector of the Line of Control in Arunachal Pradesh.
